Testing a Prediction Algorithm Into a Running Telehealth System for Patients With COPD

Overview

This trial will test a COPD prediction algorithm into a telehealth system from the previous Danish large-scale trial, TeleCare North (NCT01984840). The COPD prediction algorithm aims to support clinical decisions by predicting exacerbations in patients with COPD based on selected physiological parameters (blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and pulse). A prospective, parallel two-armed randomized controlled trial with approximately 200 COPD participants will be conducted.

Several studies call for research investigating telehealth' ability to predict exacerbations. Use of clinical prediction tools might be promising to improve telehealth services related to prediction of exacerbations and to support decision-making. However, more research is needed to further develop, test, and validate prediction algorithms to ensure that these algorithms improve clinical outcomes before they are widely implemented in practice. This trial seeks to demonstrate that through telehealth, the implementation of a COPD prediction algorithm might have potential to support early detection of exacerbations. The COPD prediction algorithm might initiate timely treatment, which can potentially led to improvement in COPD patients' health and fewer hospitalizations. The primary outcome is the number of exacerbations defined as an all-cause acute hospitalization from baseline to follow-up in both groups. The trial hypothesizes that integrating a COPD prediction algorithm into the telehealth system will lead to a significantly lower number of exacerbations through early identification and timely preventive treatment. The primary outcome will be statistically analyzed, and the hypothesis will be tested between groups. All participants are familiar with the telehealth system in advance. In addition to the participants' usual monitored measurements, they are asked to measure their oxygen saturation twice a week during the trial period. The participants will receive the questionnaires; EuroQol-5D-5L, Short-Form 12 item, version 2 Health Survey, The European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire, The Danish Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults, Danish Telehealth Usability Questionnaire, and a questionnaire containing selected demographic characteristics at baseline and at 6-month follow-up.