The importance of transition from pediatric to adult rheumatology care in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

The importance of transition from pediatric to adult rheumatology care in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2021 Jan 04;: Authors: de Oliveira RJ, Kishimoto ST, de Souza DP, Fernandes PT, Marini R, Simone A Abstract INTRODUCTION: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic inflammatory condition in childhood. The long-term morbidity, mortality and quality of life has improved with the earlier use of disease modifying drugs (DMARDs) and the availability of biology disease modifying drugs (bDMARDs). Despite improvement of treatment, around 50% of patients reach adulthood with articular and/or extra articular disease activity. A careful planned transition from pediatric to adult care is necessary to reduce loss of follow-up that is associated with stopping medications, flares, and disability due to untreated arthritis or uveitis. AREAS COVERED: This narrative review provides an overview of the importance of transition in JIA Articles were selected from Pubmed searches. EXPERT OPINION: JIA patients, family and health care workers have to be trained to provide an effective transition plan, based on local and national policies. Important aspects such as expectations, maturation, disease characteristics, disease activity, adherence, disability and psychological aspects among others have to be considered and addressed during the transition phase to improve self-esteem, self-assurance...
Source: Expert Review of Clinical Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Tags: Expert Rev Clin Immunol Source Type: research