Background

About 10% of adolescents have a chronic disease that will require care into adulthood, but most countries have no Health Care Transition guidelines. Real life data on pulmonary transition clinics are missing.

Aims

To present the organization, patients? characteristics and outcomes of a Pulmonary Transition outpatient Clinic (PTC).

Methods

In January 2022 the Division of Respiratory Disease of the Sacco University Hospital (Milan) in conjunction with the Buzzi Children's Hospital started a PTC for young adults with chronic lung diseases. Three pulmonary physicians form the PTC team, while the multidisciplinary team includes radiologists, rheumatologists and thoracic surgeons. Each visit includes lung function testing, patient education on disease management, symptom recognition and treatment. Videos, digital inhalers and action plans are provided to improve adherence and compliance. Each disease is managed according to current international guidelines and direct communication is assured by a dedicated email address. After a year, patients were asked to complete an online questionnaire to test disease perception and their experience with the clinic.

Results

Until January 2023, 21 patients (20±3 years) have been referred to the PTC: 12 asthma, 4 bronchiectasis, 1 pulmonary agenesis, 2 Nephrotic syndrome and Epidermolysis Bullosa (ILNEB), 3 restrictive diseases. Only 2% of visits were unscheduled. 100% of respondents found the PTC useful and were very satisfied with the assistance.

Conclusions

Our data showed the feasibility and effectiveness of a PTC. The access to health care transition should be provided to all young adults suffering from chronic respiratory diseases.