Challenges and Support in Transitional Care of Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Abstract

  Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis（JIA）are usually diagnosed in the pediatric setting and are usually referred to non-pediatric department during the transition period. While family members often provide support for patients in the pediatric setting, patients are expected to be independent in the adult department; and the relationship between patients, family members, and health care providers also changes. Therefore, without adequate preparation for the transition, patients and family members often feel anxious and confused. On the other hand, rheumatologists in adult departments also often feel anxious about addressing patients with transitional JIA, and the reasons for this are lack of knowledge and experience, and lack of preparation for patient acceptance.

  In 2017, “EULAR/PReS standards and recommendations for the transitional care of young people with juvenile-onset rheumatic diseases” was published. In this article, we also introduced key point of these recommendations in addition to challenges and efforts to support the transition of JIA patients in Japan. Although it is preferable for patients with transitional JIA to be transferred to adult departments after they are able to receive care independently, there are many cases in which continued transitional support is required. Healthcare professionals in pediatric and adult departments are expected to not only acquire basic knowledge of JIA, but also to recognize the importance of psychosocial support, and to collaborate with other professionals, including doctors, in this field.