Effect of telemonitoring on readmissions for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized clinical trial

Introduction Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Telemonitoring may reduce the frequency of hospitalization. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of telemonitoring on hospitalization rates for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods Patients were recruited during hospitalization and equally randomized to telemonitoring or usual care. Telemonitoring participants recorded symptoms and monitored oxygen saturation, heart rate, peak expiratory flow, and body weight. Alerts were generated if readings breached thresholds. Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hospitalizations during the 6 months intervention were compared using logistic regression, and time to first hospitalization was assessed using Cox proportional hazard modeling. The incidence rates for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hospitalization were compared using a negative binomial regression model with between-group comparisons expressed as incidence rate ratios. The telemonitoring group was used as reference. Results A total of 222 patients were randomized. 37/112 (33%) in the control group and 31/110 (28%) in the telemonitoring group experienced acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hospitalization during the intervention period, odds ratio of 1.26, confidence interval 0.71–2.23, p = 0.4. No difference was seen in time to first hospitalization, hazard ratio 1.23, CI 0.77–1.99, p = 0.4. The number of hospitalizations in the intervention period was 66 in the control group and 42 in the telemonitoring group, with incidence rate ratio 1.42, confidence interval 1.04–1.95, p = 0.03. Adjustment for dyspnea score, smoking, and cohabitation status did not change the results, incidence rate ratio 1.44, confidence interval 1.05–1.99, p = 0.02. Discussion Patients who received telemonitoring experienced significantly fewer acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hospitalizations, although the overall risk of having at least one hospitalization and the time to first hospitalization was similar between the two groups.