[Concept to improve adherence in adolescents following renal transplantation: vision or reality?]

The individualized, accompanied transition program “TraiN” for adolescent kidney patients – a local initiative

Since the transition from pediatric and adolescent to adult care often proceeds unaccompanied and unplanned, young patients with chronic kidney disease may experience health risks and non-adherence after the transfer. The psychosocial team at the Department of Pediatric Nephrology at the University Hospital of Cologne has therefore developed its local transition program “TraiN” for patients with chronic kidney disease aged 13 years and older. It combines structure and flexibility through predefined content modules that can be individually adapted to the patients, offering continuity and sustainability through a transition contact person. In addition, the family members are offered regular psychological consultations. The timing of the transfer is chosen individually depending on the level of psychosocial and medical transition readiness. The aim of “TraiN” is to strengthen the patients’ transition competence and the responsibility for their disease management and to provide them and their families the best possible support during the transition in order to prevent possible health risks. In the near future, a scientific evaluation will be conducted aiming to determine whether “TraiN” can support young people in their independence and self-reliant disease management.

Survey on Management of Transition and Transfer From Pediatric- to Adult-based Care in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients in Europe

Supplemental digital content is available in the text.

Background

Transition from pediatric- to adult-based healthcare is a challenging period and bears a high risk of medication nonadherence and transplant loss in adolescents and young adults after kidney transplantation. Yet, it remains unclear how the 2011 International Society of Nephrology (ISN)/International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA) guidelines on transition are implemented in practice and which healthcare transition modalities are currently used in Europe.

Methods

We performed an online survey inviting all members of the European Society of Paediatric Nephrology mailing list to participate. Adherence to ISN/IPNA guidelines was scored with a maximum of 15 points.

Results

Thirty-nine centers from 24 countries accounting for approximately 2500 children after kidney transplantation participated in the survey. At 3 centers, patients remained under pediatric care for their whole life, and 5 centers did not use any transition procedure. From the remaining 31 centers, 82% confirmed the existence of at least 1 unwritten transition procedure. None of these centers used IT or social media for patient training in transition. Specialized transition clinics are held at 15 of 31 centers for the patients. Most patients were transferred at 16 to 21 years of age. Transfer age was subject to regulation at 20 of 36 centers. Median score of guidelines adherence was 10 (range, 0-14). The adherence score was significantly correlated with gross national income (r² = 0.631, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The 2011 ISN/IPNA guidelines on transition are implemented insufficiently in European pediatric nephrology centers. Therefore, further development is needed, and the use of information technology and social media should be promoted.

Transition structures and timing of transfer from paediatric to adult-based care after kidney transplantation in Germany: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

It is known that transition, as a shift of care, marks a vulnerable phase in the adolescents' lives with an increased risk for non-adherence and allograft failure. Still, the transition process of adolescents and young adults living with a kidney transplant in Germany is not well defined. The present research aims to assess transition-relevant structures for this group of young people. Special attention is paid to the timing of the process.

SETTING

In an observational study, we visited 21 departments of paediatric nephrology in Germany. Participants were doctors (n=19), nurses (n=14) and psychosocial staff (n=16) who were responsible for transition in the relevant centres. Structural elements were surveyed using a short questionnaire. The experiential viewpoint was collected by interviews which were transcribedverbatim before thematic analysis was performed.

RESULTS

This study highlights that professionals working within paediatric nephrology in Germany are well aware of the importance of successful transition. Key elements of transitional care are well understood and mutually agreed on. Nonetheless, implementation within daily routine seems challenging, and the absence of written, structured procedures may hamper successful transition.

CONCLUSIONS

While professionals aim for an individual timing of transfer based on medical, social, emotional and structural aspects, rigid regulations on transfer age as given by the relevant health authorities add on to the challenge.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN Registry no 22988897; results (phase I) and pre-results (phase II).

'Training gap' - the present state of higher specialty training in adolescent and young adult health in medical specialties in the UK

Young people often experience worse health outcomes and more dissatisfaction with healthcare compared with other age groups. This survey sought to determine the state of adolescent and young adult health training across medical specialties in the UK. An online questionnaire was distributed to higher specialty trainees in adult medical specialties. Training in adolescent/young adult health/transition was rated as minimal/non-existent by 70/73% of respondents, respectively; 52% reported that they had received no formal training and 61% had never attended a dedicated young person's or transition clinic. The most significant barrier to delivering good adolescent and young adult healthcare was felt to be lack of training to deal with adolescent issues. This survey has identified a 'training gap'; a lack of preparation to meet the specific care needs of the adolescent and young adult population. Improved interventions are required to help drive improvement in care for young people in the UK.

Transitional Care and Adherence of Adolescents and Young Adults After Kidney Transplantation in Germany and Austria: A Binational Observatory Census Within the TRANSNephro Trial

Transition from child to adult-oriented care is widely regarded a challenging period for young people with kidney transplants and is associated with a high risk of graft failure. We analyzed the existing transition structures in Germany and Austria using a questionnaire and retrospective data of 119 patients transferred in 2011 to 2012. Most centers (73%) confirmed agreements on the transition procedure. Patients' age at transfer was subject to regulation in 73% (18 years). Median age at transition was 18.3 years (16.5-36.7). Median serum creatinine increased from 123 to 132 μmol/L over the 12 month observation period before transfer (P = 0.002). A total of 25/119 patients showed increased creatinine ≥ 20% just before transfer. Biopsy proven rejection was found in 10/119 patients. Three patients lost their graft due to chronic graft nephropathy.Mean coefficient of variation (CoV%) of immunosuppression levels was 0.20 ± 0.1. Increased creatinine levels ≥ 20% just before transfer were less frequently seen in patients with CoV < 0.20 (P = 0.007). The majority of pediatric nephrology centers have internal agreements on transitional care. More than half of the patients had CoV of immunosuppression trough levels consistent with good adherence. Although, 20% of the patients showed increase in serum creatinine close to transfer.

The TRANSNephro-study examining a new transition model for post-kidney transplant adolescents and an analysis of the present health care: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

The transition from pediatric to nephrology care is not yet a standardized procedure. The result is an increased risk of deteriorating transplant function, with the potential for premature transplant failure.

Methods/Design

In phase I of this study, we shall evaluate the current patient transition situation in all existing German pediatric and nephrology departments (n = 17), including an evaluation of the views of physicians, nurses, and psychosocial support staff regarding transition. Phase II will be a prospective, randomized study in which we compare current unstructured transition (control group) to structured transition (intervention group). The structured transition approach integrates the core elements of the Berliner TransitionsProgramm in combination with two facilitating smartphone apps. The primary endpoint of this study will be therapy adherence, as reflected by group variation coefficients of immunosuppressive agent levels. As a secondary outcome, we will compare patients’ self-reported quality of life, satisfaction of patients and their parents with each transition model, and how patient-centered healthcare components are utilized. These secondary parameters will be assessed with established instruments or with instruments developed (and pilot tested) in phase I of the project.

Discussion

The long-term goal of this work is to provide a model of structured transition from pediatric to adult care for adolescent nephrology patients, in order to improve transplant survival and patient wellbeing.

Trial registration

Identifier: Clinicaltrials.gov: ISRCTN22988897, registered on 24 April 2014).