Transitional care of adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease to adult services varies widely across Australia and New Zealand

Background and Aim Children and adolescents account for approximately 14% of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnoses. At an appropriate age and level of development adolescents with IBD have their care transferred from the pediatric to adult clinical team during a process termed “transition”. The study aim was to survey pediatric gastroenterologists throughout Australasia to identify commonality in the transition process to contribute to standardized guideline development. Methods A descriptive survey captured key variables: transition clinic format, process and infrastructure, transition assessments, and guidelines. The survey was distributed electronically to 59 Pediatric Gastroenterologists throughout Australasia in January 2023. Results Seventeen (29%) clinicians completed the survey: Australia 13 (76%). New Zealand 4 (24%). Thirteen (76%) respondents had access to a dedicated IBD transition clinic. Adolescents attended transition clinics 1–7 times, and the main processes transferred were: prescription provision, biologic appointments, and adult team contacts. Transition was first discussed age 13–15 years (53%), or 16–18 years (47%), with the main discussion topics including: continuing adherence (88%), smoking (59%), alcohol use (59%), recreational drug use (59%). Transition readiness assessments were done infrequently (24%). The minority (24%) used formal guidelines to inform the transition process, but 15 (88%) considered the development of a standardized Australasian guideline as beneficial/extremely beneficial. Conclusions This survey highlighted that transition care for adolescents with IBD is variable across Australasia. Australasian guideline development may optimize the transition process for adolescents with IBD and improve their longitudinal outcomes. A survey of Paediatric Gastroenterologists from across Australia and New Zealand showed that there is great variation between centres in the transition process followed for adolescents with IBD. This lack of standardised care may lead to poor outcomes following transition to adult healthcare services. Clinicians endorsed development of Transition Guidelines to address the current disparities.