B40-04 Telemonitoring for Chronic Respiratory Patients on Long-term Oxygen Therapy: An Rct

Justification

Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) is a recognized treatment for hypoxemic patients with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs); however, clinical monitoring of these patients is challenging. Remote monitoring has emerged as a promising strategy to improve patient management. Therefore, this study aims to assess the benefits of remote monitoring as a complementary strategy for LTOT individuals.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial included clinically stable adults (30 days without exacerbation) using LTOT who were randomized to the control (CG) or intervention groups (IG). CG received a finger pulse oximeter and a mobile app to manually register heart rate (HR), SpO₂, and oxygen flow rate. IG received the same devices as CG, and was continuously monitored (HR and SpO₂) by a smartwatch and by a health professional for adherence. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL, EQ-5D-5L), dyspnea (mMRC), and anxiety and depression symptoms (HADS) were assessed at baseline and reassessed every 30 days. IG was contacted by phone calls when abnormal vital signs patterns were detected on the smartwatch. Between-group differences were assessed using a Two-Way ANOVA, and Šídák’s post hoc test was performed.

Results

Sixty participants (63 years [IQR 51-69]) diagnosed with ILD (n = 41; FVC (48 [34-57] %pred.) and COPD (n = 19; FEV₁ 41 [29.5-53.0] % pred) were included. Participants’ mean oxygen flow rate was 2.5 L/min, and they used it for an average of 23 hours/day. At baseline, no between-group differences were observed. After 60 days, the IG, but not the CG, showed a minimal clinically important difference (MCID, −0.08) in EQ-5D-5L scores (IG: 0.08±0.03; CG: 0.00±0.01; p > 0.05). In addition, a significant within-group improvement in health status self-perception was observed in the IG in 90 days (9.03±0.74; p < 0.01), whereas no significant change was observed in the CG (2.26±5.14; p > 0.05). Furthermore, only the IG showed a time effect in the MCID for anxiety (−1.3), (−1.6±2.7; p < 0.01), while no significant change was observed in the CG. No group reached the MCID for depressive symptoms (IG: −0.1±3.2; CG: −0.8±3.1; p > 0.05). Also, no group reached the MCID in the dyspnea (−1).

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that telemonitoring is a feasible strategy to support patient-centered care in long-term oxygen therapy and reduce anxiety symptoms. These results suggest that telemonitoring improves patient-reported outcomes rather than respiratory symptom burden.

This abstract is funded by: CAPES CNPQ