Successful outcome of the transitional process of inflammatory bowel disease from pediatric to adult age: A five years experience

Abstract Introduction and aim The transitional process of young patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease from pediatric to adult care is a crucial step. Our study aimed to investigate the 1-year success outcome of this transitional process. Methods From 2013 to 2018, we evaluated the transitional process of patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. For each patient, the following parameters 12 months before and 12 months after the transition were evaluated: Body Mass Index, disease activity and smoker status, number of outpatient visits and the pharmacological therapy, the number of disease exacerbations, hospitalizations and surgical interventions. Results We enrolled 106 patients with IBD. No statistically significant difference was found between patients’ Body Mass Index before and after transition. There was a significant reduction in the number of exacerbations and hospitalizations in the 12 months post-transition (pre-transition exacerbations: 0.74 ± 0.79, post-transition exacerbations: 0.35 ± 0.57, p  Conclusion The parameters used as success indicators of the transition program confirm the achievement of continuity of care from Pediatrics to adult Gastroenterology, in a critical phase of the natural history of IBD patients.