Abstract
Introduction
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the world. Mobile phones have become ubiquitous in most developed societies. Smartphone applications, telemonitoring and clinician-driven short message service (SMS) allow for novel methods in managing chronic cardiovascular conditions such as ischaemic heart disease, heart failure and hypertension.
Purpose
To evaluate the impact of mobile phone-based interventions (MPIs) on mortality, hospitalisations and blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) in patients diagnosed with either acute coronary syndrome, heart failure or hypertension.
Methods
A systematic review was conducted using seven electronic databases, identifying all randomised control trials (RCTs) featuring an MPI in the management of these conditions. Meta-analysis was performed by using standard analytical techniques. The odds ratio (OR) was used as a summary statistic.
Results
Twenty-six RCTs including 6,713 patients were identified. Of these 26 studies, 13 examined text messaging intereventions, 10 studied telemonitoring interventions and three described smartphone applications with other functions. Twelve studies were included for meta-analysis. In patients with heart failure (n=1683), MPIs were associated with a significantly lower rate of all-cause hospital admissions at six months (31% vs. 36%, OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62–0.97, p=0.03, I2 = 0). A significant difference was also demonstrated for heart-failure admissions (14.0% vs. 18.5%, OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.98, p=0.04, I2 = 26%). There was no difference in mortality (10.4% vs. 11.6% p=0.45). In patients with hypertension, the difference in systolic BP was 4.3mmHg less in the intervention group (95% CI: −7.8 to −0.78 mmHg, p=0.02). Four studies examined medication compliance as an endpoint in patients with ischaemic heart disease, and all four demonstrated a significant difference favouring the MPI group (see table 1). However, due to variable quantification of compliance, meta-analysis was not possible. There was no significant difference in the change in BMI from four studies after six or more months (mean difference −0.46, 95% CI: −1.44 to 0.52, P=0.36).
Conclusions
The available data suggests MPIs may have a role as valuable adjuncts in the management of chronic CVD.
Figure 1
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
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