Direct-to-patient expert system and home INR monitoring improves control of oral anticoagulation.
OBJECTIVE
Internet-based disease management programs have the potential to improve patient care. The objective of this study was to determine whether an interactive, internet-based system enabling supervised, patient self-management of oral anticoagulant therapy provided management comparable to an established anticoagulation clinic.


METHODS
Sixty patients receiving chronic oral anticoagulant therapy who had access to the internet and a printer, were enrolled into this prospective, single-group, before-after study from a single clinic and managed between March 2002 and January 2003. Patients learned how to use a home prothrombin time monitor and how to access the system through the internet. Patients used the system for six months, with daily review by the supervising physician. The primary outcome variable was the difference in time in therapeutic range prior to and following introduction of internet-supervised patient self-management.


RESULTS
The mean time in therapeutic range increased from 63% in the anticoagulation clinic (control period) to 74.4% during internet-supervised patient self-management (study period). The mean difference score between control and study periods was 11.4% (P = 0.004, 95% confidence interval 5.5-17.3%). There were no hemorrhagic or thromboembolic complications.


CONCLUSIONS
This novel approach of internet-supervised patient self-management improved time in therapeutic range compared to an anticoagulation clinic. This is the first demonstration of an internet-based expert system enabling remote and effective management of patients on oral anticoagulants. Expert systems may be applicable for management of other chronic diseases.
O'Shea
Susan I
SI
Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
Arcasoy
Murat O
MO
Samsa
Gregory
G
Cummings
Sandra E
SE
Thames
Elizabeth H
EH
Surwit
Richard S
RS
Ortel
Thomas L
TL
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003199:Computer Systems; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005103:Expert Systems / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio / Q000295:instrumentation; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012648:Self Care / Q000295:instrumentation
D000925:Anticoagulants