Challenges and opportunities in transitional care process in Behçet's syndrome

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Pediatric Rheumatology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a rare, chronic, multi-system inflammatory disorder.
• Pediatric and juvenile onset of BS are less common but require specialized long-term management.
• Young patients with BS often experience disease progression, necessitating careful monitoring and support during growth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the key concepts and goals of transitional care (TC) for young patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS).
• To address the potential challenges and opportunities in implementing TC for this specific patient group.
• To highlight the importance of developmentally and disease-specific transition plans for BS patients.

Main Methods:

• This is a perspective article, not a primary research study.
• It reviews existing literature and expert opinion on transitional care in chronic rheumatic diseases.
• It extrapolates potential benefits and challenges of TC for young patients with BS.

Main Results:

• Existing guidelines for transitional care exist for juvenile-onset rheumatic diseases, but specific tools and timing for BS need identification.
• Transitional care programs aim to equip young patients with self-management skills for chronic conditions.
• Tailored transition plans are hypothesized to improve care continuity and quality of life for young BS patients.

Conclusions:

• Young patients with Behçet's syndrome can significantly benefit from structured transitional care programs.
• Effective TC may promote better disease self-management, continuity of care, and improved long-term health outcomes.
• Further research is needed to define optimal TC strategies, timing, and effectiveness indicators for BS.