Abstract

Transition of gastroenterological patients from paediatric to adult care: A position statement by the Italian Societies of Gastroenterology

Italian Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (SIGENP), Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists (AIGO), Italian Society of Endoscopy (SIED), Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE), Elli L1, Maieron R2, Martelossi S3, Guariso G4, Buscarini E5, Conte D1, di Giulio E6, Staiano A7, Barp J8, Bassotti G9, Bianco MA10, Buri L11, Carrara M12, Ghidini B13, Giannini O13, Knafelz D13, Miele E7, Peralta S14, Riccio E15, Tomba C1, Zilli M2, Guadagnini T16. Dig Liver Dis. 2015 Apr 14. pii: S1590-8658(15)00275-3. doi: 10.1016/j.dld.2015.04.002. [Epub ahead of print]
 
     
Author information

1Center for Prevention and Diagnosis of Celiac Disease, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Fodanzione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico and Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy. 2Gastroenterology Unit, University Hospital "Santa Maria della Misericordia", Udine, Italy. 3Pediatrics, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy. 4Department of Paediatrics, University of Padua, Italy. 5Gastroenterology Department, Maggiore Hospital Crema, Italy. 6Digestive Endoscopy, "Sapienza" University, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy. 7Department of Translational Medical Science, Section of Pediatrics, University of Naples "Federico II", Napoli, Italy. 8Department of Paediatrics, Section of Gastroenterology, Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy. 9Gastroenterology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy. 10Endoscopy and Gastroenterology Unit, A. Maresca Hospital, Torre del Greco, Naples, Italy. 11Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, "Cattinara" Hospital, Trieste, Italy. 12Department of Gastroenterology, Ospedale Orlandi, Bussolengo, Verona, Italy. 13Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy. 14Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico Paolo Giaccone", Palermo, Italy. 15Division of Gastroenterology, Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy. 16Paediatric Department, Maggiore Hospital Crema, Italy. Electronic address: tizguadagnini@gmail.com.

Abstract

In 2013, four Italian Gastroenterological Societies (the Italian Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, the Italian Society of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists, the Italian Society of Endoscopy, and the Italian Society of Gastroenterology) formed a joint panel of experts with the aim of preparing an official statement on transition medicine in Gastroenterology. The transition of adolescents from paediatric to adult care is a crucial moment in managing chronic diseases such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease and liver transplantation. Improved medical treatment and availability of new drugs and surgical techniques have improved the prognosis of many paediatric disorders, prolonging survival, thus making the transition to adulthood possible and necessary. An inappropriate transition or the incomplete transmission of data from the paediatrician to the adult Gastroenterologist can dramatically decrease compliance to treatment and prognosis of a young patient, particularly in the case of severe disorders. For these reasons, the Italian gastroenterological societies decided to develop an official shared transition protocol. The resulting document discusses the factors influencing the transition process and highlights the main points to accomplish to optimize compliance and prognosis of gastroenterological patients during the difficult transition from childhood to adolescence and adulthood.

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