Conexiant’s news site is now MDSpire News. Learn more
Advertisement
Connected Health May Match In-Person AD Care
A randomized clinical trial found that a team-based connected health model achieved equivalent improvements in atopic dermatitis severity and symptoms compared with conventional in-person care over 12 months.
Clinical Report: Connected Health May Match In-Person AD Care
Overview
A pragmatic randomized clinical trial involving 300 patients with atopic dermatitis demonstrated that a team-based connected health model achieved improvements in disease severity and symptoms comparable to conventional in-person care over 12 months.
Background
The management of atopic dermatitis (AD) is crucial due to its impact on patients' quality of life and the increasing demand for dermatological services. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual care models, prompting investigations into their efficacy compared to traditional in-person care. Understanding the effectiveness of connected health models is essential for expanding access to dermatology services and optimizing patient outcomes.
Data Highlights
Outcome Measure
Connected Health
In-Person Care
EASI Change
-0.01 (95% CI -0.22 to 0.20)
Comparable
POEM Change
0.38 (95% CI 0.03–0.73)
Comparable
vIGA Change
0.06 (95% CI 0.00–0.11)
Comparable
Key Findings
The connected health model met prespecified criteria for equivalence on the primary outcome, EASI.
Improvements in patient-reported symptoms (POEM) and physician-assessed severity (vIGA) were also equivalent between groups.
Only six patients in the connected health group required in-person visits, compared to an average of 2.4 visits in the conventional care group.
More than 95% of participants completed follow-up assessments, indicating high retention.
Safety outcomes were comparable, with no serious adverse events related to the interventions.
Clinical Implications
The findings suggest that a team-based connected health model can effectively manage atopic dermatitis, potentially reducing the need for in-person visits. This model may enhance access to care for patients with varying levels of digital literacy and access.
Conclusion
This study supports the use of a connected health model as a viable alternative to traditional in-person care for patients with atopic dermatitis, demonstrating equivalent clinical outcomes over a 12-month period.
