Characteristics and treatment outcomes of transition in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Backgrounds/Aims: This study aimed to assess disease characteristics and outcomes of transition in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Data from patients younger than 18 years who were diagnosed with IBD (Crohn’s disease [CD], ulcerative colitis [UC], or intestinal Behçet’s disease [BD]) were investigated. We categorized the patients into two groups, transition IBD group (Group A, diagnosed in pediatric care followed by transfer to/attendance in the adult IBD care) and non-transition group (Group B, diagnosed and followed up in pediatric care or adult IBD care without transfer). Results: Data from a total of 242 patients (Group A [N=29, 12.0%], Group B [N=213, 88.0%]) were analyzed. A significantly higher number patients was diagnosed at an earlier age in Group A than in Group B (P < 0.01). Group A patients had more severe disease in terms of number of disease flare ups (P < 0.01), frequency of bowel-related complications (P < 0.01), number of IBD-related admission (P = 0.03), and number of emergency admissions (P = 0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that group A patients had less medical non-compliance than group B patients (β = 0.01, P = 0.04). After transition, IBD-related admission frequency, emergency admission frequency, disease flare frequency, and medical non-compliance were significantly improved. Conclusions: The transition IBD group had more severe disease. Medical non-compliance were lower in the transition IBD group. Clinical outcomes were improved after transition.