Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire: A Tool Associated With Transfer Success for Adolescents and Young Adults Living With Sickle Cell Disease?

Transition from pediatric to adult healthcare is a critical period for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with sickle cell disease (SCD), often associated with increased morbidity. In Canada, healthcare transfer is mandated by Age 18, yet objective measures to predict transition outcomes are lacking. The Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) is a self-administered, disease-neutral tool. Its French version (TRAQ-FR) has been administered at the CHU Sainte-Justine (CHUSJ)-Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) SCD transition clinic since 2020. This retrospective cohort study aimed to describe TRAQ-FR scores in AYA Aged 16-18 years and to explore possible associations between transition readiness and transfer success/transition outcomes. Among 32 participants, the median TRAQ-FR completion age was 17.9 years, with an overall score of 3.5 [2.2-4.6]. The highest-scoring domain was <i>Talking With Providers</i>, while <i>Tracking Health Issues</i> scored lowest. There was no significant difference in global TRAQ-FR scores between AYA with successful (≤ 6 months) versus delayed transfer (> 6 months). Between these groups, there were no significant differences in youth-initiated communications with clinic nurse, emergency visits, or hospitalizations. While TRAQ-FR can help guide and individualize interventions, larger studies are needed to clarify its association with health outcomes.