Limitations in real-world telemonitoring applicability in gastroenterology and hepatology: A systematic review.
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All Authors
Kumar, A.
Gananandan, K.
Robinson, G.
Clough, J.
Tavabie, O.D.
LTHT Author
Tavabie, Oliver
LTHT Department
Abdominal Medicine & Surgery
Liver Unit
Hepatology
Liver Unit
Hepatology
Non Medic
Publication Date
2025
Item Type
Article In Press
Language
Subject
Subject Headings
Abstract
Objective: Telemonitoring has the potential to improve healthcare delivery. While the field continues to develop, ensuring interventions are accessible across disease populations is essential for successful clinical translation. This systematic review of telemonitoring aims to understand the generalisability of study findings in the distinctly different patient cohorts of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and decompensated cirrhosis, focusing on differences in sociodemographic characteristics. Design/method: Relevant studies were identified by searching Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases from 2013 to January 2024. A narrative review was conducted. Result(s): 27 studies with 3806 patients were included. IBD-based studies predominated (n=23, 85%) with four (15%) studies in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. All studies were undertaken in high-income economies. While age and gender were documented in most studies, only 11% documented ethnicity, 33% documented socioeconomic status and 33% documented education status. Substance misuse with alcohol, smoking or other illicit drugs was documented in 7%. Multiple languages were available in 15% of studies. There was significant heterogeneity in endpoints used across studies investigating interventions in both patient cohorts. Conclusion(s): This systematic review demonstrates the lack of reporting in critical demographic domains with significant heterogeneity in study design and endpoints across both disease processes. This potentially limits the use of telemonitoring outside of a trial setting. To improve real-world implementation and reduce the impact of health inequalities, it is critical that a consensus is reached for minimum reporting standards for telemedicine interventions. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024497369.
Journal
Frontline Gastroenterology