Evaluation of patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in terms of treatment compliance and quality of life after follow-up with telemedicine: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has emerged as an important alternative method. The investigation of the safety and effectiveness of telemedicine in the post-exacerbation follow-up of advanced-stage COPD patients and determining whether telemedicine-mediated healthcare service resulted in any differences in COPD assessment test (CAT) scores, inhaler treatment adherence, and technique compared to the face-to-face healthcare service.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, controlled, method-based clinical research study. Patients who were hospitalized due to COPD exacerbation were included in the present study. The sealed envelope randomization method was adopted to divide these patients into 2 groups: the "telemedicine group" and the "control group". Both groups were then followed up for 3 months. The 0th visit was considered the initial visit, which was followed by the 1st visit on Day 10 post-initiation, the 2nd visit at 1 month, and the 3rd visit at 3 months, all assessed via teleconsultations. The COPD assessment questionnaire (CAT) scores, inhaler treatment adherence, and technique were compared between the groups.

Results: No significant differences existed between the two groups in terms of demographic data and disease characteristics at baseline assessment. At the end of 3 months, the CAT score was 9 (0-30) in the telemedicine group and 18 (0-34) in the control group (p = 0.019). The inhaler treatment technique was correct in 32 patients (91.4%) in the telemedicine group and 23 patients (65.7%) in the control group (p = 0.02). Inhaler treatment adherence was observed in 70.6% of the patients in the telemedicine group and 55.9% of the patients in the control group at the 3-month time point (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Telemedicine has improved the quality of life of advanced-stage COPD patients and their inhaler techniques. It may, therefore, be considered a promising alternative to traditional face-to-face follow-ups, although various technical infrastructures and legal regulations are necessary.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06477328, Registration Date: 21.06.2024.