European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation Topical Review on Transitional Care in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
BACKGROUND
This European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] topical review focuses on the transition of adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] from child-centred to adult-oriented care. The aim was to provide evidence-supported, expert consensus for health professionals taking part in the transition.


METHODS
An online survey determined the areas of importance for health professionals involved in the transition of adolescents with IBD. Thereafter an expert panel of nine paediatric and five adult gastroenterologists was formed to identify the critical elements of the transition programme, and to prepare core messages defined as 'current practice points'. There is limited literature about transition, therefore this review is mainly based on expert opinion and consensus, rather than on specific evidence.


RESULTS
A total of 21 practice points were generated before the first [online] voting round. Practice points that reached >80% agreement were accepted, while those that did not reach 80% agreement were refined during a consensus meeting and subjected to voting. Ultimately, 14 practice points were retained by this review.


CONCLUSIONS
We present a consensus-based framework for transitional care in IBD that provides a guidance for clinical practice.
Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen,Groningen, The Netherlands.
Patrick F
PF
van Rheenen
Paediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, University Hospital Umberto I, Rome, Italy.
Marina
M
Aloi
Department of Gastroenterology, Rabin Medical Center - Beilinson Hospital, Petah Tikva, Israel.
Irit Avni
IA
Biron
Department of Paediatrics, Hvidovre University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark.
Katrine
K
Carlsen
Department of Gastroenterology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital,Birmingham, UK.
Rachel
R
Cooney
Paediatric Gastroenterology and Liver Unit, Sapienza University of Rome, University Hospital Umberto I, Rome, Italy.
Salvatore
S
Cucchiara
Department of Gastroenterology, Centre for Colorectal Disease, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Garret
G
Cullen
Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Johanna C
JC
Escher
Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Feeding Disorders and Paediatrics, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland.
Jaroslaw
J
Kierkus
Department of Gastroenterology, Barts Health NHS Trust, The Royal London Hospital, London, UK.
James O
JO
Lindsay
First Department of Paediatrics, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Eleftheria
E
Roma
Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, The Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK.
Richard K
RK
Russell
Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Feeding Disorders and Paediatrics, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland.
Joanna
J
Sieczkowska-Golub
Imperial College, London; and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
Marcus
M
Harbord
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D060305:Transition to Adult Care; D000069341:Transitional Care
Crohn’s disease; Transition to adult care; inflammatory bowel diseases; ulcerative colitis