Telemonitoring in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Findings from the TIGE-Rus Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Digital Health
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Telemedicine is increasingly utilized in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management.
• The impact of telemonitoring on quality of life (QoL) and psychological outcomes in IBD patients requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of a 6-month telemonitoring intervention on QoL, disease activity, treatment adherence, psychological well-being, patient satisfaction, and healthcare utilization in IBD patients.
• To assess the impact of telemonitoring compared to standard care in adults with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, open-label, single-center study involving 68 adult IBD patients (32 telemonitoring, 36 standard care).
• Telemonitoring included monthly remote assessments and a web-based platform for education, disease tracking, and physician communication.
• Primary outcome: health-related QoL (SIBDQ); secondary outcomes: general QoL, psychological well-being, visceral sensitivity, treatment adherence, patient satisfaction, clinical remission, and healthcare utilization.

Main Results:

• Telemonitoring was associated with significantly lower anxiety levels (p=0.021), reduced visceral sensitivity (p=0.039), and higher medication adherence (p=0.008).
• No significant differences were found in health-related QoL (SIBDQ), general QoL, depressive symptoms, alexithymia, clinical remission, or patient satisfaction.
• The telemonitoring group had fewer outpatient visits (p<0.001) but similar hospitalization rates compared to the standard care group.

Conclusions:

• Six-month telemonitoring in IBD patients demonstrated benefits in reducing anxiety, visceral sensitivity, and improving treatment adherence.
• Telemonitoring led to a decrease in outpatient healthcare utilization without negatively impacting clinical outcomes or patient satisfaction.
• While not improving health-related QoL scores, telemonitoring showed no clinical disadvantage compared to standard care for IBD management.