Transition in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The transition period is defined as a planned, organized, active and multidisciplinary process that covers different adolescent patient needs in medical, psychosocial and educational and the objective is the respond and adapt preparation patient to an adult health system. The main objective is to achieve transition training adequate from the characterizes childhood and adolescent dependency period to the adult life autonomy.

Thus, the "transition" must be a dynamic process that involves the passage from school life to work life, from family to social life independence and from the pediatric to the adult health system. The change from the Pediatric Diabetes Unit (PDU) to follow-up by the Adult Diabetes Unit (ADU) involves sudden changes that require patients training, their families and the health professionals themselves.

When the transition to ADU is unable because a planned system lack off, can lead to both follow-up and an loss in health indicators, such as glycemic control impairment, DM acute complications increase and a lack of chronic complications early detection who start at this time. Currently, the ADU transition is recognized as a of the adolescent health care key component with chronic pathology, although there are still few quality studies on its content and evaluation of its effectiveness. Most authors, as well as various scientific societies, are agree in recognize the specific need, coordinated and structured programs that allow for an adequate transition from pediatric units to adult units.