Impact of Telemonitoring on Health Status.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2017

Identifier

DOI: 10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.117.004148; PMCID: PMC5776725

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although noninvasive telemonitoring in patients with heart failure does not reduce mortality or hospitalizations, less is known about its effect on health status. This study reports the results of a randomized clinical trial of telemonitoring on health status in patients with heart failure.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 1521 patients with recent heart failure hospitalization randomized in the Tele-HF trial (Telemonitoring to Improve Heart Failure Outcomes), 756 received telephonic monitoring and 765 usual care. Disease-specific health status was measured with the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) within 2 weeks of discharge and at 3 and 6 months. Repeated measures linear regression models were used to assess differences in KCCQ scores between patients assigned to telemonitoring and usual care over 6 months. The baseline characteristics of the 2 treatment arms were similar (mean age, 61 years; 43% female and 39% black). Over the 6-month follow-up period, there was a statistically significant, but clinically small, difference between the 2 groups in their KCCQ overall summary and subscale scores. The average KCCQ overall summary score for those receiving telemonitoring was 2.5 points (95% confidence interval, 0.38-4.67;

CONCLUSIONS: Telemonitoring results in statistically significant, but clinically small, improvements in health status when compared with usual care. Given that the KCCQ was a secondary outcome, the benefits should be confirmed in future studies.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT00303212.

Journal Title

Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes

Volume

10

Issue

12

MeSH Keywords

Aged; Chi-Square Distribution; Female; Health Status; Heart Failure; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Middle Aged; Recovery of Function; Self Care; Social Behavior; Surveys and Questionnaires; Telemedicine; Telephone; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; United States

Keywords

disease management; health status; heart failure; hospitalization

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