Transition care continuity promotes long-term retention in adult care among young adults with sickle cell disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Care continuity prevents increased health care utilization and mortality during transition from pediatric to adult care. Our program employs a co-located care delivery model, in which pediatric provider involvement continues during young adulthood. We tested the hypothesis that individuals who participated in the co-located model have greater retention in adult care compared to those who only received pediatric transition services.

Methods

This study consisted of 311 youth with SCD (51.4% male; 63.0% HbSS/HbSβ⁰ -thalassemia) who transferred to adult care from 2007 to 2017. Retention was defined as continuation with an adult provider for ≥12 or ≥24 months post-pediatric care. Logistic regression estimated the association between co-location status and retention at 12 and 24 months. Logistic regression and t-tests were used to evaluate potential predictors of retention in adult care.

Results

Individuals who participated in the co-location model were 1.9 times more likely to remain in adult care 12 (95% CI: 1.01, 3.47) and 24 (95% CI: 1.01, 3.70) months post-pediatric care compared to those who did not participate. Individuals with HbSS/HbSβ⁰ -thalassemia were 1.9 times more likely to be retained at 12 months compared to those with HbSC/HbSβ⁺ -thalassemia/HbS/HPFH (95% CI: 1.12, 3.09). For every clinic encounter in the last 2 years of pediatric care, the odds of being retained at least 24 months after initiating adult care increased 1.1 times (95% CI: 1.02, 1.13).

Conclusions

Continuity of providers from pediatric to adult care may increase long-term retention in adult care. Longitudinal monitoring of adult outcomes is critical to identifying the efficacy of transition services.

SUBMITTER: Howell KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9084595 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature