Remote monitoring of oxygen-dependent patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD)

<bold>Background:</bold> ILD exacerbates respiratory symptoms, impairs health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and leads to poor outcomes. <bold>Aim:</bold> To evaluate the impact of remote monitoring on HRQoL and anxiety/depression symptoms among oxygen-dependent individuals with ILD. <bold>Method:</bold> All participants received a pulse oximeter and were instructed to report daily heart rate (HR) and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2), and to complete the King's Brief Interstitial Lung Disease (K-BILD), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) periodically, using a mobile app. The intervention group (IG) also received a smartwatch for continuous monitoring of HR and SpO₂, and it was monitored by a healthcare professional to administer the questionnaires every 15 days and contact patients at any time regarding the lack of patient daily adherence. The control group (CG) was contacted once a month. The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was considered to evaluate outcomes. <bold>Results:</bold> Fifteen patients (60±13 years) were enrolled. After 90 days of monitoring, the total K-BILD score improved in both groups (IG, 8.6 vs. CG, 13.6). However, only the IG reached an MCID in depression symptoms (HADS scale, IG -1.8). Regarding domains of EQ-5D-5L questionnaire, both groups reached MCID in self-care (IG, 0.1 vs. CG, -0.4). However, CG also reached MCID in mobility (−1.4) and usual activities (−0.2), while IG reached MCID in pain/discomfort (−0.1) and EQ-visual analogue scale (IG: 7.9). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Our preliminary results suggest that monitoring patients with ILD improved HRQoL; however, only close monitoring improved depression symptoms and health self-perception.