Transition to adult care of young people with congenital heart disease: impact of a service on knowledge and self-care skills and correlates of a successful transition

AIMS: Less than one-third of adolescents with congenital heart disease (CHD) successfully transition to adult care, missing out on education of their cardiac condition, and risking loss to follow-up. We assessed the efficacy of our transition clinic on patient education and empowerment and identified correlates of successful transition. METHODS AND RESULTS: Overall, 592 patients were seen at least once in our transition service between 2015 and 2022 (age 15.2 ± 1.8 years, 47.5% female). Most adolescents (53%) had moderate CHD, followed by simple (27.9%) and severe (19.1%) CHD. Learning disability (LD) was present in 18.9% and physical disability (PD) in 4.7%. In patients without LD, knowledge of their cardiac condition improved significantly from the first to the second visit (naming their condition: from 20 to 52.3%, P < 0.0001; describing: 14.4–42.7%, P < 0.0001; understanding: 26.1–60.7%, P < 0.0001), and from the second to the third (naming: 67.4%, P = 0.004, describing: 61.4%, P < 0.001, understanding: 71.1%, P = 0.02;). Patients with LD did not improve their disease knowledge over time (all P > 0.05). Treatment adherence and management involvement, self-reported anxiety, and dental care awareness did not change over time. Successful transition (attendance of ≥ 2 clinics) was achieved in 49.3%. Younger age at the first visit, simpler CHD, and absence of PD were associated with successful transition. CONCLUSION: A transition service positively impacts on patient education and empowerment in most CHD adolescents transitioning to adult care. Strategies to promote a tailored support for patients with LD should be sought, and earlier engagement should be encouraged to minimize follow-up losses.