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Kazankov K, Nixon‐Hill M, Kumar R, Amin A, Alabsawy E, Chikhlia A, Leung TS, Mookerjee RP. A novel smartphone scleral-image based tool for assessing jaundice in decompensated cirrhosis patients. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 38:330-336. [PMID: 36574965 PMCID: PMC10107452 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.16093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Serum bilirubin is an established marker of liver disease. Reliable tools for non-invasive assessment of jaundice in cirrhosis patients, at risk of clinical decompensation, are highly desirable. While smartphone-based imaging has been described in neonatal jaundice, it has not been investigated in advanced cirrhosis patients. METHODS We included 46 hospitalized patients with acute cirrhosis decompensation and jaundice. Scleral images using an Android smartphone were taken to derive "Scleral Color Values (SCV)," which were matched with same day serum bilirubin measurements. In 29 patients, repeat SCV and bilirubin measurements were performed over time. We analyzed the relationship of SCV and its dynamics with serum bilirubin, clinical scores, and patient outcomes. RESULTS Of 46 patients, 26 (57%) had alcoholic hepatitis as the decompensation precipitant. Seven patients died during admission; a further 12 following hospital discharge. SCV had an excellent linear correlation with serum bilirubin (rho = 0.90, P < 0.001); changes in SCV and serum bilirubin across different time points, were also closely associated (rho = 0.77, P < 0.001). SCV correlated significantly with CLIF Consortium Acute Decompensation score (rho = 0.38, P < 0.001) and grade of Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (rho = 0.42, P = 0.039). SCV was higher in patients who died, however, not significantly (86.1 [IQR 83.0-89.7] vs 82.3 [IQR 78.5-83.3], P = 0.22). The associations of SCV with clinical parameters mirrored those of serum bilirubin. CONCLUSION Smartphone-based assessment of jaundice shows excellent concordance with serum bilirubin and is associated with clinical parameters in acute cirrhosis decompensation. This approach offers promise for remote assessment of cirrhosis patients at-risk of decompensation, post hospital discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Kazankov
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, UCL Medical SchoolRoyal Free HospitalLondonUK
- Department of Hepatology and GastroenterologyAarhus University HospitalAarhusDenmark
| | - Miranda Nixon‐Hill
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Rahul Kumar
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, UCL Medical SchoolRoyal Free HospitalLondonUK
| | - Ahmed Amin
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, UCL Medical SchoolRoyal Free HospitalLondonUK
| | - Eman Alabsawy
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, UCL Medical SchoolRoyal Free HospitalLondonUK
| | - Anmol Chikhlia
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, UCL Medical SchoolRoyal Free HospitalLondonUK
| | - Terence S. Leung
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Rajeshwar P. Mookerjee
- Liver Failure Group, Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, UCL Medical SchoolRoyal Free HospitalLondonUK
- Department of Hepatology and GastroenterologyAarhus University HospitalAarhusDenmark
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Evaluation of CirrhoCare® - a digital health solution for home management of individuals with cirrhosis. J Hepatol 2023; 78:123-132. [PMID: 36087864 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Individuals with cirrhosis discharged from hospital following acute decompensation are at high risk of new complications. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and potential clinical benefits of remote management of individuals with acutely decompensated cirrhosis using CirrhoCare®. METHODS Individuals with cirrhosis with acute decompensation were followed up with CirrhoCare® and compared with contemporaneous matched controls, managed with standard follow-up. Commercially available monitoring devices were linked to the smartphone CirrhoCare® app, for daily recording of heart rate, blood pressure, weight, % body water, cognitive function (CyberLiver Animal Recognition Test [CL-ART] app), self-reported well-being, and intake of food, fluid, and alcohol. The app had 2-way patient-physician communication. Independent external adjudicators assessed the appropriateness of CirrhoCare®-based decisions. RESULTS Twenty individuals with cirrhosis were recruited to CirrhoCare® (mean age 59 ± 10 years, 14 male, alcohol-related cirrhosis [80%], mean model for end-stage liver disease-sodium [MELD-Na] score 16.1 ± 4.2) and were not statistically different to 20 contemporaneous controls. Follow-up was 10.1 ± 2.4 weeks. Fifteen individuals showed good engagement (≥4 readings/week), 2 moderate (2-3/week), and 3 poor (<2/week). In a usability questionnaire, the median score was ≥9 for all questions. Five CirrhoCare®-managed individuals had 8 readmissions over a median of 5 (IQR 3.5-11) days, and none required hospitalisation for >14 days. Sixteen other CirrhoCare®-guided patient contacts were made, leading to clinical interventions that prevented further progression. Appropriateness was confirmed by adjudicators. Controls had 13 readmissions in 8 individuals, lasting a median of 7 (IQR 3-15) days with 4 admissions of >14 days. They had 6 unplanned paracenteses compared with 1 in the CirrhoCare® group. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that CirrhoCare® is feasible for community management of individuals with decompensated cirrhosis with good engagement and clinically relevant alerts to new decompensating events. CirrhoCare®-managed individuals have fewer and shorter readmissions justifying larger controlled clinical trials. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS As the burden of cirrhosis grows worldwide, increasing demands are being placed on limited healthcare resources, necessitating the adoption of more sustainable care models that allow for at-home patient management. The CirrhoCare® management system was developed to fill this care gap, deploying a novel combination of hardware, apps, and algorithms, to monitor and intervene in individuals at risk of new decompensation. This study highlights the possibility of reducing hospital readmissions for cirrhosis by optimising specialist community care, reducing the need for interventions such as paracentesis, while providing a more sustainable care pathway that is acceptable to patients. However, given the pilot and non-randomised nature of this study, the outcomes require further validation in a larger randomised controlled trial, to assess both clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, the data generated will also facilitate data modelling and further research to refine the CirrhoCare® algorithms to increase their detection sensitivity and utility.
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Chae S, Lee YJ, Han HR. Sources of Health Information, Technology Access, and Use Among Non-English-Speaking Immigrant Women: Descriptive Correlational Study. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e29155. [PMID: 34714249 PMCID: PMC8590186 DOI: 10.2196/29155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the world is becoming increasingly connected by the World Wide Web, the internet is becoming the main source of health information. With the novel COVID-19 pandemic, ubiquitous use of the internet has changed the daily lives of individuals, from working from home to seeking and meeting with health care providers through web-based sites. Such heavy reliance on internet-based technologies raises concerns regarding the accessibility of the internet for minority populations who are likely to already face barriers when seeking health information. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the level of technology access and common modes of technology used by Korean American women and to investigate how key psychosocial determinants of health such as age, education, English proficiency, and health literacy are correlated with sources of health information used by Korean American women and by their use of the internet. METHODS We used data from a subsample of Korean American women (N=157) who participated in a community-based randomized trial designed to test a health literacy-focused cancer screening intervention. In addition to descriptive statistics to summarize Korean American women's internet access and common modes of technology use, we conducted backward stepwise logistic regression analyses to substantiate the association between the psychosocial determinants of health and internet use. RESULTS Approximately two-thirds (103/157, 65.6%) of the sample had access to the internet, and nearly all had access to a mobile phone. The internet was the most commonly used channel to obtain health information 63% (99/157), and 70% (110/157) of the sample used text messaging. Nevertheless, only approximately 38.8% (40/103) of the sample were very confident in using the internet, and only 29.9% (47/157) were very confident in using text messaging. Multivariate analyses revealed that older age (>50 years) was associated with 79% lower odds of using the internet to seek health information (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.21, 95% CI 0.10-0.46). The higher health literacy group (19+ on Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine) had 56% lower odds of using the internet to acquire health information (AOR 0.44, 95% CI 1.13-11.18). Higher education (college+) was associated with both internet use (AOR 4.42, 95% CI 1.88-9.21) and text messaging (AOR 3.42, 95% CI 1.55-7.54). Finally, English proficiency was associated with text messaging (AOR 4.20, 95% CI 1.44-12.24). CONCLUSIONS The differences in modes of technology access, use, and confidence by some of the key psychosocial determinants, as observed in our study sample, have important implications when health care teams develop dissemination plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Chae
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yoon-Jae Lee
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Hae-Ra Han
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Louissaint J, Gibbs JT, Lok AS, Tapper EB. Strategies to Improve Video Visit Use in Persons With Liver Disease. Gastroenterology 2021; 161:1080-1084.e2. [PMID: 34197830 PMCID: PMC8973455 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.06.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Louissaint
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jeffrey T. Gibbs
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Anna S. Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Elliot B. Tapper
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Gastroenterology Section, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Acharya C, Sehrawat TS, McGuire DB, Shaw J, Fagan A, McGeorge S, Olofson A, White MB, Gavis E, Kamath PS, Bergstrom L, Bajaj JS. Perspectives of Inpatients With Cirrhosis and Caregivers on Using Health Information Technology: Cross-sectional Multicenter Study. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e24639. [PMID: 33744844 PMCID: PMC8065567 DOI: 10.2196/24639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health information technology (IT) interventions to decrease readmissions for cirrhosis may be limited by patient-associated factors. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine perspectives regarding adoption versus refusal of health IT interventions among patient-caregiver dyads. METHODS Inpatients with cirrhosis and their caregivers were approached to participate in a randomized health IT intervention trial requiring daily contact with research teams via the Patient Buddy app. This app focuses on ascites, medications, and hepatic encephalopathy over 30 days. Regression analyses for characteristics associated with acceptance were performed. For those who declined, a semistructured interview was performed with themes focused on caregivers, protocol, transport/logistics, technology demands, and privacy. RESULTS A total of 349 patient-caregiver dyads were approached (191 from Virginia Commonwealth University, 56 from Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and 102 from Mayo Clinic), 87 of which (25%) agreed to participate. On regression, dyads agreeing included a male patient (odds ratio [OR] 2.08, P=.01), gastrointestinal bleeding (OR 2.3, P=.006), or hepatic encephalopathy admission (OR 2.0, P=.01), whereas opioid use (OR 0.46, P=.03) and alcohol-related etiology (OR 0.54, P=.02) were associated with refusal. Race, study site, and other admission reasons did not contribute to refusing participation. Among the 262 dyads who declined randomization, caregiver reluctance (43%), perceived burden (31%), technology-related issues (14%), transportation/logistics (10%), and others (4%), but not privacy, were highlighted as major concerns. CONCLUSIONS Patients with cirrhosis admitted with hepatic encephalopathy and gastrointestinal bleeding without opioid use or alcohol-related etiologies were more likely to participate in a health IT intervention focused on preventing readmissions. Caregiver and study burden but not privacy were major reasons to decline participation. Reducing perceived patient-caregiver burden and improving communication may improve participation. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03564626; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03564626.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chathur Acharya
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.,McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Tejasav S Sehrawat
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Deborah B McGuire
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.,McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Jawaid Shaw
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.,McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Andrew Fagan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.,McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Sara McGeorge
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.,McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Amy Olofson
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Melanie B White
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.,McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Edith Gavis
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.,McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Patrick S Kamath
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Lori Bergstrom
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Jasmohan Singh Bajaj
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.,McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, United States
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Saleh ZM, Bloom PP, Grzyb K, Tapper EB. How Do Patients With Cirrhosis and Their Caregivers Learn About and Manage Their Health? A Review and Qualitative Study. Hepatol Commun 2021; 5:168-176. [PMID: 33553967 PMCID: PMC7850304 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of cirrhosis requires patients and their caregivers to be well educated to improve outcomes. Data are lacking regarding how to best educate patients and their caregivers in the setting of cirrhosis. Our aim is to understand (both through existing literature and by asking patients and their caregivers) how patients learn about their disease, barriers in their education and disease management, and self-management strategies. We performed a structured search of published articles in PubMed (1973 to 2020) using keywords "cirrhosis" plus "barriers", "education", "self-management", or "self-care". Additionally, we conducted a focus group of a representative sample of patients and their caregivers to understand how knowledge about cirrhosis is found and incorporated into self-management. Of 504 returned manuscripts, 11 pertained to barriers in cirrhosis, interventions, or educational management. Barriers are well documented and include disease complexity, medication challenges, comorbid conditions, and lack of effective education. However, data regarding addressing these barriers, especially effective educational interventions, are scarce. Current strategies include booklets and videos, patient empowerment, and in-person lectures. Without widespread use of these interventions, patients are left with suboptimal knowledge about their disease, a sentiment unanimously echoed by our focus group. Despite linkage to subspecialty care and consistent follow-up, patients remain uncertain about their disease origin, prognosis, and therapies to manage symptoms. It is clear that more data are needed to assess effective strategies to address unmet educational needs. Existing strategies need to be blended and improved, their effectiveness evaluated, and the results distributed widely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary M Saleh
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Patricia P Bloom
- Division of GastroenterologyMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | - Katie Grzyb
- Quality and Continuous Improvement TeamDepartment of Internal MedicineUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
| | - Elliot B Tapper
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
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Bloom P, Wang T, Marx M, Tagerman M, Green B, Arvind A, Ha J, Bloom J, Richter JM. A Smartphone App to Manage Cirrhotic Ascites Among Outpatients: Feasibility Study. JMIR Med Inform 2020; 8:e17770. [PMID: 32876581 PMCID: PMC7495260 DOI: 10.2196/17770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ascites is a common, painful, and serious complication of cirrhosis. Body weight is a reliable proxy for ascites volume; therefore, daily weight monitoring is recommended to optimize ascites management. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a smartphone app in facilitating outpatient ascites management. METHODS In this feasibility study, patients with cirrhotic ascites requiring active management were identified in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Patients were provided with a Bluetooth-connected scale, which transmitted weight data to a smartphone app and then via the internet to an electronic medical record (EMR). Weights were monitored every weekday. In the event of a weight change of ≥5 lbs in 1 week, patients were called and administered a short symptom questionnaire, and providers received an email alert. The primary outcomes of this study were the percentage of enrolled days during which weight data were successfully transmitted to an EMR and the percentage of weight alerts that prompted responses by the provider. RESULTS In this study, 25 patients were enrolled: 12 (48%) were male, and the mean age was 58 (SD 13; range 35-81) years. A total of 18 (72%) inpatients were enrolled. Weight data were successfully transmitted to an EMR during 71.2% (697/979) of the study enrollment days, with technology issues reported on 16.5% (162/979) of the days. Of a total of 79 weight change alerts fired, 41 (52%) were triggered by weight loss and 38 (48%) were by weight gain. Providers responded in some fashion to 66 (84%) of the weight alerts and intervened in response to 45 (57%) of the alerts, for example, by contacting the patient, scheduling clinic or paracentesis appointments, modifying the diuretic dose, or requesting a laboratory workup. Providers responded equally to weight increase and decrease alerts (P=.87). The staff called patients a mean of 3.7 (SD 3.5) times per patient, and the number of phone calls correlated with technology issues (r=0.60; P=.002). A total of 60% (15/25) of the patients chose to extend their participation beyond 30 days. A total of 17 patient readmissions occurred during the study period, with only 4 (24%) related to ascites. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated the feasibility of a smartphone app to facilitate the management of ascites and reported excellent rates of patient and provider engagement. This innovation could enable early therapeutic intervention, thereby decreasing the burden of morbidity and mortality among patients with cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Bloom
- Department of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Thomas Wang
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Madeline Marx
- Department of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michelle Tagerman
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Bradley Green
- Department of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ashwini Arvind
- Department of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jasmine Ha
- Department of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Judith Bloom
- Department of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - James M Richter
- Department of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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