Multiparametric Telemonitoring In Elderly People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) determines an important risk of disability and disease-related need of care. Selected interventions were able to reduce the number and the severity of exacerbations. Telemedicine has also been proposed for this purpose. Current evidences, however, are scant. The investigators present a randomized, parallel-group trial of a multiparametric remote monitoring system to test its ability to improve early exacerbation detection rates and impact on clinical outcomes.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Chronic Disease Disease Attributes Lung Diseases Lung Diseases, Obstructive Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Tract Diseases

Age range

65 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

All patients performed a simple spirometry that was carried out using a Stead-Wells bell spirometer (Biomedin, Padua, Italy). Upon provision of informed consent, patients in the telemonitoring group were invited to a session during which they were instructed on how to wear the wristband and to operate the cellular telephone. A study physician was available on call during office hours to assist patients needing further instructions. A technician was also available in order to solve ingoing hardware problems.

All participants were also clinically evaluated at baseline and received a multi-dimensional assessment including: Activities of daily living scale (ADL), Instrumental activities of daily living scale (IADL), Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) test. These are well validated and routinely used tools to screen geriatric patients in order to detect global, physical and instrumental autonomy and consequent degree of dependence, as well as cognitive status.

Patients in both groups were followed up for 9 months, during this period they attended the standard schedule of clinical controls. For patients in the SweetAge group, the parameters received were evaluated daily by a study physician. In case of abnormal readings, the physician systematically contacted the patient to verify whether their symptoms had worsened or new symptoms had arose. In this event, the patient's adherence to her/his therapy was checked and, if unsatisfactory, individually tailored interventions promoting adherence were carried up. Otherwise, a diagnosis of exacerbation was made and, on the basis of its severity, an outpatient clinical assessment (for mild exacerbations) or a hospital admission was scheduled.

The outcome measures of these study were: number of exacerbations (defined as a sustained worsening of the patient's condition, from the stable state and beyond normal day-to-day variations, that is acute in onset and necessitates a change in regular medications, and number of hospital admissions.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease stage II-III (GOLD classification)

Exclusion criteria

Cognitive impairment precluding the use of the experimental device.

Treatment and study plan

Telemonitoring

Procedure

Use of wearable sensors for heart rate, haemoglobin oxygen saturation, physical activity, respiratory rate with automatic transmission to the monitoring central.

Primary outcomes

Respiratory Events

Time frame: 9 months

Rate of COPD exacerbations, defined as a sustained worsening of the patient's condition, from the stable state and beyond normal day-to-day variations, that is acute in onset and necessitates a change in regular medications. Rate of hospital admission for respiratory problems (COPD exacerbations, lower respiratory tract infections, respiratory failure).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Campus Bio-Medico University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy Of Multiparametric Telemonitoring On Respiratory Outcomes In Elderly People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Acronym: SweetAge

Important dates

Study start: 2010
Primary completion: 2011
Study completion: 2011
First posted: Nov 29, 2011
Registry last updated: Nov 29, 2011

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed