The "2024 UK Guideline on the Transition and Management of Childhood Liver Diseases in Adulthood" is the first national - level guideline in the UK regarding this topic2. Here is a brief introduction:
To offer adult hepatologists concise guidelines on aspects of transitional care for young adults related to key disease etiologies encountered in clinical practice.
A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, Web of Knowledge, and Cochrane databases from 1980 to 2023. MeSH search terms related to liver diseases, transition to adult care, and adolescent care were used. The quality of evidence and the grading of recommendations were evaluated using the GRADE system.
The guidelines cover the transition of young adults and address key etiologies for adult hepatologists in the following aspects:
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Models and Provision of Care: Establish structured transition care models to ensure a smooth transition for patients from pediatric to adult care, including multi - disciplinary team collaboration, clear transfer criteria and processes, etc.
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Screening and Management of Mental Health Disorders: Pay attention to the mental health problems of young adults with liver diseases, conduct regular psychological screenings, and provide timely psychological support and interventions.
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Etiologies: Elaborate on the common etiologies of childhood liver diseases, such as cholestatic liver diseases, biliary atresia, metabolic liver diseases, and autoimmune liver diseases, and offer corresponding management strategies.
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Timing and Role of Liver Transplantation: Discuss the indications, timing, and prognosis of liver transplantation in young adults with liver diseases to help doctors and patients make reasonable decisions.
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Sexual Health and Fertility: Provide guidance on sexual health and fertility - related issues for young adults with liver diseases, including the impact of the disease and its treatment on sexual function and fertility, as well as relevant contraceptive and pregnancy - planning advice.
These guidelines provide a framework for clinical care, aiming to improve the outcomes of young adults with chronic liver diseases.