Discussion
The EAACI Task Force on Adolescents and Young Adults has developed an evidence-based, clinical practice guideline to help HCP to manage AYA with allergy and/or asthma. Adolescence can be a critical time for AYA as they need to become independent, expert adult patients, successfully self-managing their chronic conditions. This can be seen as a challenge but also as an opportunity for HCP. This is because neurodevelopmentally, adolescents are naturally eager to become more autonomous and are able to learn new skills quickly and easily.
The guideline sets out a series of general recommendations focused on how to run a clinical service for AYA. Key recommendations are to consider starting transition early (11-13 years), using a structured, multidisciplinary approach (involving both paediatric and adult clinics where applicable); ensuring AYA fully understand their condition(s) and have resources that they can access; discussing any implications for self-management in real-world contexts such as further education/work and actively monitoring adherence. Specific allergy and/or asthma transition recommendations are categorised according to improving adherence, optimising self-management, addressing psychological issues and obtaining support. Highlights include simplifying medication regimes and the use of reminders; focusing on areas where AYA are less confident; involving peers in training AYA patients; identifying and managing psychological and socioeconomic issues impacting disease control and quality of life; enrolling the family in assisting AYA to take on self-management and encouraging AYA to let their friends know about their allergy and asthma.