JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Hospitalization for acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with poor prognosis. eHealth interventions might improve outcomes and decrease costs.

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an eHealth program on COPD hospitalizations and exacerbations.

Methods:

This was a real-life study from April 2018-December 2019 in the Bravis Hospital, the Netherlands. An eHealth program (EmmaCOPD), was offered to COPD patients at risk of exacerbations. EmmaCOPD consisted of an app that used questionnaires (to monitor symptoms) and a step counter (to monitor the number of steps) to detect exacerbations. Patients and their buddies received feedback when their symptoms worsened, and/or the number of steps declined. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to compare the number of days admitted to the hospital and the total number of exacerbations 12 months before and (max) 18 months after the start of EmmaCOPD.

Results:

29 patients were included, with a mean±SD forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 45.5±17.7 %predicted. In the year before the intervention, mean±SD total number of exacerbations was 2.5±1.3. The mean±SD number of hospitalization days was 13.1±10.5. Afterwards, it was 0.8±0.9 and 3.4±4.5, respectively. After initiation of EmmaCOPD, both the number of hospitalization days and the total number of exacerbations decreased significantly (IRR 0.209 (95% CI: 0.116-0.382) and 0.310 (95% CI: 0.219-0.438)).

Conclusions:

The eHealth program seems to reduce the number of total exacerbations and the number of days of hospitalization due to exacerbation COPD. Clinical Trial: NA