Type 1 Diabetes: Evaluating a Transition Care Model From Pediatric to Adult Care at the McGill University Health Centre.

Abstract

Objective: Our aim in this study was to describe a type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) transition care model by assessing clinic attendance, glycemic management, and diabetes-related hospitalizations.

Methods: This work is a descriptive, longitudinal, single-centre study of patients with T1DM, who were 18 to 25 years of age and referred to our transition clinic from 2012 to 2021 (N=179).

Results: Our data analysis demonstrates an average clinic attendance rate of 79% and mean time between last pediatric and first adult visit of 6.9±5.8 months. Glycated hemoglobin levels at last pediatric visit, first transition visit, and last transition visit were 8.92±1.84%, 9.03±1.84%, and 8.47±1.74%, respectively. There was no change in frequency of diabetes-related hospitalizations after transfer to transition clinic.

Conclusions: Youth attending our transition clinic had high clinic attendance and improved glycemic management at their last transition visit compared with the last pediatric visit without an increase in diabetes-related hospitalizations. This work highlights the potential importance of comprehensive support in addressing psychosocial and lifestyle challenges during the critical transition period from pediatric to adult care.