Digital health interventions may be able to help patients self-monitor and manage their health, according to a study published in JAMA. However, researchers found that the interventions did not significantly reduce the rate of hospitalizations among individuals with multiple chronic conditions. 

The single-blinded randomized study, conducted in British Columbia, gave patients with two or more chronic conditions a digital intervention that was run by a full-time nurse with support from a dietician and an exercise specialist. Patients reported their symptoms and answered questions about their lifestyle and medication adherence. 

TOP-LINE DATA

The intervention group had 56 hospitalizations during the time of the study, compared with 81 hospitalizations in the control group. 

Researchers noted that this was not a statistical difference between the groups after they adjusted for age, sex and number of chronic conditions. The intervention group also had 229 fewer in-hospital days than the usual care group. 

“The intervention resulted in a nonsignificant 30.9% reduction in all-cause hospitalizations along with improvements in self-management and social support. The proportion of participants admitted to hospital and the proportion who experienced the composite outcome of all-cause hospitalization or death were significantly lower among participants who received the internet CDM [chronic disease management] intervention vs. usual care,” authors of the study wrote. 

HOW IT WAS DONE

The study included 229 participants with a mean age of 70.5 years. The bulk of participants (61.6%) were male. In order to be included, patients needed to have two of these conditions: diabetes, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

Patients were recruited from 71 primary care clinics in British Columbia. The study included 116 patients in the intervention group and 113 in the usual care group. 

BACKGROUND 

Chronic disease management is a popular area of focus for digital health companies. For example, Livongo, which was purchased by Teladoc for a whopping $18.5 billion in 2020, got its start as a diabetes management tool, but quickly expanded into the chronic care space. Other well-funded companies, including Omada, Lark and Onduo, are also working in the chronic care space.