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E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
Association Between Web-Based Patient Portal Messaging and Disease Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease:
Pavan Vemulakonda1, Shriansh Singh2, Liza Khutsishvili2
1Department of Internal Medicine and Primary Care, George Washington University Hospital, 2150 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20037, United States, 1 2027413000.
Background:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) requires ongoing monitoring and effective communication between patients and health care providers. Web-based patient portals may enhance engagement, but their association with disease activity remains unclear.
Objective:
We aimed to evaluate the association between patient portal messaging frequency and disease activity among patients with IBD.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study using electronic health record data from an urban academic center. Patients with Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, or indeterminate colitis were included. Portal messaging frequency over 2 years (July 2023-July 2025) was analyzed. Associations with demographic variables and disease activity were assessed using χ2 tests (P<.05 was considered significant).
Results:
Among 442 patients, 347 (78.5%) sent at least one portal message. Patients sent a mean of 5.27 (SD 7.15) messages over 2 years. High messaging frequency was associated with active disease (P=.047) and age group (P<.001). Patients with active disease were more likely to send ≥16 messages (n=14, 12.5% vs n=18, 6%). No significant associations were found with sex or race.
Conclusions:
Higher portal messaging frequency was associated with active disease in IBD. Patient portals may serve as a tool for disease monitoring and early intervention.
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