Information Technology-Based Interventions for Health Care Support in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Self-management and support in managing therapeutic regimens is very important for patients with CKD. Information technologybased interventions are increasingly being used to support the selfmanagement of patients with CKD. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review to evaluate information technology-based interventions in relation to the support of the health management of patients with CKD. Method: We conducted a systematic review using electronic databases (Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest) limited to the last 8 years from 2010 to 2018 with the relevant keywords. The studies included used RCT, pilot and case-control methods focusing on patients with CKD stage 1-5 and that reported on at least one outcome from the health management of patients with CKD. Out of the 7.852 studies taken, 13 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Result: The interventions in this systematic review are multifaceted, including smartphone/PDA (6/13), telematics devices (2/13), internet/web (3/13) and a combination of several interventions (2 studies). In total, 12 (92%) out of the 13 studies showed a positive outcome from the intervention, 7 studies showed improved outcomes in the clinical points, 3 studies had improved adherence and 2 studies improved knowledge. Conclusion: This evidence indicates the potential of IT-based interventions (i.e. smartphone/PDA, computer, internet/web, telematic device) to support the health management of patients with CKD. The variety of interventions in this systematic review requires further research on which interventions are best applied