Internet-based monitoring of asthma: a long-term, randomized clinical study of 300 asthmatic subjects.
BACKGROUND
Experience from other fields of internal medicine shows that Internet-based technology can be used to monitor various diseases. The new technology handles complex calculation programs easily, and it is a unique way of communicating. These advantages might be used in optimizing the treatment for asthmatic subjects because undertreatment is a common problem found in European asthmatic subjects.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to investigate the outcome of monitoring and treatment using a physician-managed online interactive asthma monitoring tool and to assess whether the outcome differs from that of monitoring and treatment in an outpatient respiratory clinic or in primary care.


METHODS
Three hundred asthmatic subjects were randomized to 3 parallel groups in a 6-month prospective study: (1) Internet-based monitoring (n = 100); (2) specialist monitoring (n = 100); and (3) general practitioner (GP) monitoring (n = 100). All the patients were examined on entry into the study and after 6 months of treatment.


RESULTS
The treatment and monitoring with the Internet-based management tool lead to significantly better improvement in the Internet group than in the other 2 groups regarding asthma symptoms (Internet vs specialist: odds ratio of 2.64, P = .002; Internet vs GP: odds ratio of 3.26; P < .001), quality of life (Internet vs specialist: odds ratio of 2.21, P = .03; Internet vs GP: odds ratio of 2.10, P = .04), lung function (Internet vs specialist: odds ratio of 3.26, P = .002; Internet vs GP: odds ratio of 4.86, P < .001), and airway responsiveness (Internet vs GP: odds ratio of 3.06, P = .02).


CONCLUSIONS
When physicians and patients used an interactive Internet-based asthma monitoring tool, better asthma control was achieved.
Rasmussen
Linda M
LM
Respiratory and Allergy Research Unit, Department of University Medicine 1, University Hospital of Copenhagen, H:S Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark. makowska@dadlnet.dk
Phanareth
Klaus
K
Nolte
Hendrik
H
Backer
Vibeke
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009819:Office Visits; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012646:Self Administration; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents