Telehealth mitigates COPD disease progression compared to standard of care: a randomized controlled crossover trial

Publikation

Telehealth mitigates COPD disease progression compared to standard of care: a randomized controlled crossover trial

Wissenschaftlicher Artikel/Review - 11.01.2021

Rassouli Frank, Tamm M, Sievi N A, Tschirren U, Widmer Sandra, Kähler C, Brack T, Thurnheer R, Stolz D, Kohler M, Baty Florent, Germann A, Brutsche Martin

Zitation

Rassouli F, Tamm M, Sievi N, Tschirren U, Widmer S, Kähler C, Brack T, Thurnheer R, Stolz D, Kohler M, Baty F, Germann A, Brutsche M. Telehealth mitigates COPD disease progression compared to standard of care: a randomized controlled crossover trial. J Intern Med 2021; 289:404-410.

Art

Wissenschaftlicher Artikel/Review (Englisch)

Zeitschrift

J Intern Med 2021; 289

Veröffentlichungsdatum

11.01.2021

eISSN (Online)

1365-2796

Seiten

404-410

Kurzbeschreibung/Zielsetzung

BACKGROUND
We showed excellent adherence and satisfaction with our telehealth care (TC) approach for COPD. Here, the results of a consecutive randomized controlled trial are presented.

METHODS
Patients were randomly assigned to TC or standard care (SC). During TC, patients answered six daily questions online, and focused on the early recognition of exacerbations, in addition to SC.

RESULTS
The mean increase in COPD assessment test (CAT) was 1.8 vs. 3.6 points/year in the TC and SC groups, respectively (P = 0.0015). Satisfaction with care (VAS) at baseline was 8.2; at the end of SC, 8.5 (P = 0.062); and after TC, 8.8 (P < 0.001). We detected significantly more moderate exacerbations during TC.

CONCLUSION
Whilst receiving TC, the slope of the CAT increase - an indicator of the naturally progressive course of COPD - was reduced by 50%. Satisfaction with care increased with TC. The higher number of detected moderate exacerbations probably indicates a higher diagnostic sensitivity than without TC.