According to a new study by the UK's Royal Free Hospital, an app which allows doctors to remotely monitor liver disease patients can lead to a reduction in hospital admissions.

Funded by INNOVATE UK, the trial involved patients taking daily measurements of blood pressure, weight and their ECG using hardware technology. They were also asked to do a modified 'stroop test' to measure their brain function.

The data was then blue-toothed to the app and displayed via a secure server and digital platform, to help liver specialists identify any deterioration of health in the patients.

Clinicians were then able to intervene with advice to adjust medications and help cirrhosis patients avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.

WHY IT MATTERS

Patients with end-stage liver disease can experience a decline in their health which can often result in multi-organ failure and acute admission to hospital.

This can lead to being in and out of hospital and requiring intensive care treatment, including support with ventilation and their kidneys.

Through the small study of 20 patients, the team at Royal Free Hospital found that patients using the CirrhoCare app were less likely to need hospitalisation compared with those not using it.

If they needed admitting, patients using the app were likely to be discharged sooner and needed fewer outpatient procedures.

Applications for grants from other NHS funding streams are being sought to facilitate a larger controlled trial and further development of the technology.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

Nasdaq-listed 111, a Chinese healthcare platform, has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Jiangsu-based drug R&D firm Suzhou Zelgen Biopharmaceuticals Co. to build a virtual platform for liver cancer patients.

ON THE RECORD

Professor Mookerjee said: “The participants said it was easy to follow the instructions, gave them a focus and a better understanding of their condition and it helped them feel more in control.

“These are very sick patients for whom the average mortality may be as high as half within six to 12 months. For us, it was very helpful because we could tell if, for instance, someone was struggling with their brain dysfunction or fluid accumulation, and arrange for changes to their treatment in the community, or if needed, bring them into hospital to help them.”