Matteo Piga1, Ignazio Cangemi2, Alessandro Mathieu2, Alberto Cauli2. 1. Chair of Rheumatology and Rheumatology Unit, University Clinic and AOU of Cagliari, SS 554-09 042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy. Electronic address: matteopiga@unica.it. 2. Chair of Rheumatology and Rheumatology Unit, University Clinic and AOU of Cagliari, SS 554-09 042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the scientific literature regarding tele-rheumatology and draw conclusions about feasibility, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane database searches were performed (April 2016) using relevant MeSH and keyword terms for telemedicine and rheumatic diseases. Articles were selected if reporting outcomes for feasibility, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction and methodologically appraised using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias and a modified version of CONSORT 2010 Statement. RESULTS: A total of 177 articles were screened, 23 were selected for the present review but only 9 were RCTs. Five studies reported on feasibility, 14 effectiveness, and 9 satisfaction rates for different tele-rheumatology interventions grouped in synchronous (remotely delivered consultation) and asynchronous (remote disease activity assessment; tele-monitoring of treatment strategies or rehabilitation; and remotely delivered self-management programs). Seven studies (30.4%) were on rheumatoid arthritis, 2 (8.7%) were on systemic sclerosis (1 including also rheumatoid arthritis patients), 5 (21.7%) on fibromyalgia, 2 (8.7%) on osteoarthritis, 3 (13.0%) on juvenile idiopathic arthritis and 4 (17.4%) on mixed disease cohorts. Interventions and outcomes heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis of results. Overall, feasibility and patient satisfaction rates were high or very high across intervention types. Effectiveness was equal or higher than standard face-to-face approach in controlled trials which, however, were affected by small sample size and lack of blinding participants according to appraisal tools. CONCLUSION: Telemedicine may provide a well-accepted way to remotely deliver consultation, treatment and monitoring disease activity in rheumatology. Higher quality RCTs demonstrating effectiveness of different tele-rheumatology interventions are needed.
OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the scientific literature regarding tele-rheumatology and draw conclusions about feasibility, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane database searches were performed (April 2016) using relevant MeSH and keyword terms for telemedicine and rheumatic diseases. Articles were selected if reporting outcomes for feasibility, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction and methodologically appraised using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias and a modified version of CONSORT 2010 Statement. RESULTS: A total of 177 articles were screened, 23 were selected for the present review but only 9 were RCTs. Five studies reported on feasibility, 14 effectiveness, and 9 satisfaction rates for different tele-rheumatology interventions grouped in synchronous (remotely delivered consultation) and asynchronous (remote disease activity assessment; tele-monitoring of treatment strategies or rehabilitation; and remotely delivered self-management programs). Seven studies (30.4%) were on rheumatoid arthritis, 2 (8.7%) were on systemic sclerosis (1 including also rheumatoid arthritispatients), 5 (21.7%) on fibromyalgia, 2 (8.7%) on osteoarthritis, 3 (13.0%) on juvenile idiopathic arthritis and 4 (17.4%) on mixed disease cohorts. Interventions and outcomes heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis of results. Overall, feasibility and patient satisfaction rates were high or very high across intervention types. Effectiveness was equal or higher than standard face-to-face approach in controlled trials which, however, were affected by small sample size and lack of blinding participants according to appraisal tools. CONCLUSION: Telemedicine may provide a well-accepted way to remotely deliver consultation, treatment and monitoring disease activity in rheumatology. Higher quality RCTs demonstrating effectiveness of different tele-rheumatology interventions are needed.
Authors: Jasvinder A Singh; John S Richards; Elizabeth Chang; Amy Joseph; Bernard Ng Journal: Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) Date: 2021-07 Impact factor: 4.794
Authors: Lai-Shan Tam; Yoshiya Tanaka; Rohini Handa; Zhanguo Li; Jose Paulo Lorenzo; Worawit Louthrenoo; Catherine Hill; Kevin Pile; Philip C Robinson; Leonila F Dans; Li Yang Hsu; Sang-Min Lee; Jiacai Cho; A T M Tanveer Hasan; Babur Salim; Saba Samreen; Syahrul Sazliyana Shaharir; Priscilla Wong; Jeffrey Chau; Debashish Danda; Syed Atiqul Haq Journal: Int J Rheum Dis Date: 2021-05-04 Impact factor: 2.454