Abstract: FR-PO028
Using Telemedicine Compared with Face-to-Face Visits for Outpatient Management in CKD Patients
Session Information
- AI, Digital Health, Data Science - II
November 03, 2023 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Pennsylvania Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Augmented Intelligence, Digital Health, and Data Science
- 300 Augmented Intelligence, Digital Health, and Data Science
Authors
- Apibankurukit, Nichapat, Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
- Chuasuwan, Anan, Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
Background
In the recent past, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was a pandemic. Telemedicine is thought to be used for outpatient management in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients because we want to reduce hospital visits and congestion in CKD clinic to decrease the risk of COVID-19 infection in CKD patients. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of telemedicine with face-to-face visits for outpatient management in CKD patients.
Methods
A non-inferiority, non – randomized open-label controlled trial in a CKD clinic at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand from January 2022 to January 2023. The patients were divided into 2 groups, using telemedicine and face-to-face visits. The primary outcome was to compare the percentage change of eGFR-EPI between the two groups.
Results
There were 32 patients in both the telemedicine and face-to-face visit groups. The majority were male 60.9%. The mean age was 72.2 ± 11.2 (SD) years. CKD KDIGO stage 4 was the majority by 56.2% and mean eGFR-EPI was 24.6 ± 9.9 (SD) ml/min/1.73 m2. The eGFR increased by 2.1% in the telemedicine group and decreased by 2.1% in the face-to-face visits group (p 0.374). There was no difference between the two groups in all-cause mortality, hospitalization, emergency department visits, renal replacement therapy initiation rate, co-morbidities and CKD complications controlled, adherence, and satisfaction with the service. Telemedicine had higher quality of life, measured from the EQ-5D scales (69.5 vs 58.4 scores, p = 0.009), and used shorter timing in the visit (52.5 vs 189.5 minutes, p < 0.001) than the face-to-face visits group.
Conclusion
Compared to face-to-face visits, telemedicine for outpatient management in CKD patients is not inferior in the percentage change of eGFR, co-morbidities, and CKD complications. Telemedicine tends to have a better quality of life, shorten the timing of the visit, and lower travel costs to the hospital.
Funding
- Government Support – Non-U.S.