Health-related quality of life, continuity of care and patient satisfaction: long-term outcomes of former patients of the Tuebingen Transition Program (TTP) - a retrospective cohort study.

HR-QoL of adult patients after successful transfer to adult rheumatology is reduced compared to the general population but physical activity and achievement of clinical remission could help to prevent negative long-term outcomes. Patient satisfaction and self-management of TTP patients were generally high, whereas youth-specific issues and their impact on the disease mandate greater attention. Treatment discontinuation rates were low and mostly due to remission. Further studies should focus on the identification of early predictors of long-term outcome to improve the process and outcome of transition.