A randomized controlled trial comparing health and quality of life of lung transplant recipients following nurse and computer-based triage utilizing home spirometry monitoring.
Finkelstein SM, Lindgren BR, et al.Telemedicine Journal and E-Health 2013;19(12):897-903
Aims
To evaluate the relative performance of a computer-based Bayesian triangle algorithm compared with a manual nurse-based triage system in terms of patient health and health-related quality of life (QOL) in lung transplant recipients.
Interventions
Participant clinical outcomes were compared between patients randomised to a manual nurse triage and a computer based clinical decision triage system.
Participants
65 lung transplant recipients.
Outcomes
Primary outcomes included the percentage decline from baseline in clinic forced expiratory volume at 1s (FEVâ‚) readings after one year and the decline after two years was a secondary outcome.
Follow-up
1 year.
CET Conclusions
This is an interesting study of home monitoring patients of lung transplant recipients, either by visiting nurses measuring FEV1 and quality of life or a Bayesian computer based algorithm again monitoring FEV1 and clinical symptoms. The results suggest no difference between the two methods of follow up of lung transplant patients and although, as the authors admit, larger studies would be required to confirm this it did appear that the computer based decision system is certainly equivalent to the nurse based follow- up system. This has important economic implications and indeed the application of this type of monitoring may also apply to other forms of lung disease in the non-transplant population.
Data analysis
Modified intention-to-treat analysis
Trial registration
Not reported.