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Published on in Vol 25 (2023)

Preprints (earlier versions) of this paper are available at https://preprints.jmir.org/preprint/45922, first published .
Telemedicine-Based Management of Oral Anticoagulation Therapy: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Telemedicine-Based Management of Oral Anticoagulation Therapy: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Telemedicine-Based Management of Oral Anticoagulation Therapy: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Authors of this article:

Letícia Braga Ferreira1, 2 Author Orcid Image ;   Rodrigo Lanna de Almeida3 Author Orcid Image ;   Alair Arantes1 Author Orcid Image ;   Hebatullah Abdulazeem4 Author Orcid Image ;   Ishanka Weerasekara5, 6 Author Orcid Image ;   Leticia Santos Dias Norberto Ferreira2 Author Orcid Image ;   Luana Fonseca de Almeida Messias1 Author Orcid Image ;   Luciana Siuves Ferreira Couto7 Author Orcid Image ;   Maria Auxiliadora Parreiras Martins8 Author Orcid Image ;   Núbia Suelen Antunes9 Author Orcid Image ;   Raissa Carolina Fonseca Cândido1, 8 Author Orcid Image ;   Samuel Rosa Ferreira1 Author Orcid Image ;   Tati Guerra Pezzini Assis10 Author Orcid Image ;   Thais Marques Pedroso1 Author Orcid Image ;   Eric Boersma11 Author Orcid Image ;   Antonio Ribeiro1, 1, 12 Author Orcid Image ;   Milena Soriano Marcolino1, 12 Author Orcid Image
Article Authors Cited by (2) Tweetations (7) Metrics

    Review

    1University Hospital, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    2Rede Mater Dei de Saúde, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    3Laboratory of Respiratory Physiology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil

    4Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    5Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway

    6School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia

    7Medical School, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, Brazil

    8Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    9Emergency Department, Fundação Hospitalar do Estado de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    10Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    11Thoraxcenter, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands

    12Institute for Health Technology Assessment, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Corresponding Author:

    Letícia Braga Ferreira, MD

    University Hospital

    Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

    Avenida Professor Alfredo Balena, 110

    Santa Efigenia

    Belo Horizonte, 30130-100

    Brazil

    Phone: 55 31 33079436

    Email: bragaferreira.leticia@gmail.com


    Background: Oral anticoagulation is the cornerstone treatment of several diseases. Its management is often challenging, and different telemedicine strategies have been implemented to support it.

    Objective: The aim of the study is to systematically review the evidence on the impact of telemedicine-based oral anticoagulation management compared to usual care on thromboembolic and bleeding events.

    Methods: Randomized controlled trials were searched in 5 databases from inception to September 2021. Two independent reviewers performed study selection and data extraction. Total thromboembolic events, major bleeding, mortality, and time in therapeutic range were assessed. Results were pooled using random effect models.

    Results: In total, 25 randomized controlled trials were included (n=25,746 patients) and classified as moderate to high risk of bias by the Cochrane tool. Telemedicine resulted in lower rates of thromboembolic events, though not statistically significant (n=13 studies, relative risk [RR] 0.75, 95% CI 0.53-1.07; I2=42%), comparable rates of major bleeding (n=11 studies, RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82-1.07; I2=0%) and mortality (n=12 studies, RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.78-1.20; I2=11%), and an improved time in therapeutic range (n=16 studies, mean difference 3.38, 95% CI 1.12-5.65; I2=90%). In the subgroup of the multitasking intervention, telemedicine resulted in an important reduction of thromboembolic events (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.08-0.48).

    Conclusions: Telemedicine-based oral anticoagulation management resulted in similar rates of major bleeding and mortality, a trend for fewer thromboembolic events, and better anticoagulation quality compared to standard care. Given the potential benefits of telemedicine-based care, such as greater access to remote populations or people with ambulatory restrictions, these findings may encourage further implementation of eHealth strategies for anticoagulation management, particularly as part of multifaceted interventions for integrated care of chronic diseases. Meanwhile, researchers should develop higher-quality evidence focusing on hard clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and quality of life.

    Trial Registration: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42020159208; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=159208

    J Med Internet Res 2023;25:e45922

    doi:10.2196/45922

    Keywords

    anticoagulation; telemedicine; eHealth; warfarin; DOACs; atrial fibrillation 


    Oral anticoagulation is the cornerstone treatment of several diseases and has been prescribed to millions worldwide. Atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) are the most common indications, with AF prevalence estimated at 46.3 million people worldwide [1] and VTE incidence that varies from 115 to 269 per 100,000 population depending on the country [2].

    Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have progressively replaced vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) [3]. However, in certain conditions, especially antiphospholipid syndrome, mechanical heart valves, and rheumatic mitral stenosis, VKAs remain the only drugs with established safety and efficacy [4,5]. Additionally, in low-income contexts, they are frequently the preferred option due to the high costs of DOACs. Management of VKA therapy involves serial testing for the international normalized ratio (INR) value to guide dose adjustment. The quality of oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT), often expressed as time in therapeutic range (TTR), strongly correlates with the incidence of bleeding and thromboembolic events [6].

    Different eHealth strategies have been implemented to support OAT management. Studies have usually focused on the impact of telemedicine on anticoagulation quality. Data on clinical outcomes are scarce due to the small number of patients enrolled or the short length of follow-up, both of which result in low event rates, often rendering the studies inconclusive [7-9]. Therefore, summarizing the best available evidence on the topic is necessary, especially in light of the substantial rise in telehealth use observed during the COVID-19 pandemic [10]. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence that assesses the impact of telemedicine-based OAT management compared to usual care on relevant outcomes.


    This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, version 6.2 [11] and reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement [12]. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020159208).

    Search Strategy

    MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and LILACS were searched for relevant studies in September 2021 with no time or language restrictions. Google Scholar was used as a gray literature source, and reference lists of the included studies were hand-searched for additional studies of interest. The complete search strategy is provided in Multimedia Appendix 1.

    Outcomes

    Primary outcomes included the incidence of total thromboembolic events (TTEs; efficacy outcome) and major hemorrhagic events (safety outcome), as defined by each study, measured at any time point. Secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality and quality of anticoagulation (for VKA studies) measured by the TTR.

    Studies Selection

    Two investigators independently screened the studies to include individual or cluster randomized controlled trials that bore comparisons between any telemedicine intervention and control groups of usual care for the management of adult outpatients on OAT for any condition.

    Exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) trials that used any kind of telemedicine strategy in the control group; (2) studies not reported in full text; (3) in-hospital telemedicine intervention; (4) duplicate publications or substudies of included studies. In the latter case, we selected the publication with the largest sample and longest follow-up.

    Disagreements were resolved by discussion with a third reviewer. Whenever necessary, we contacted corresponding authors to obtain data not included in the publication using email and Research Gate. Table 1 details the various types of telemedicine interventions included.

    Table 1. Telemedicine categories.
    Category of telemedicine interventionDescription
    Computer-assisted dosingUse of computerized algorithms for VKAa dose adjustment
    Laboratory testing with remote adjustmentConventional laboratory testing for INRb values and dose adjustment made by remote assistance (either by phone, fax, mobile app, or internet-based system)
    Self-testingSelf-testing for INR values using point-of-care devices and dose adjustment either by remote assistance or self-management (with remote professional support)
    Multitasking applicationMobile app or internet-based CDSSc for atrial fibrillation care, including anticoagulation indication and management, rhythm or rate control, symptom control, and cardiovascular risk factors management

    aVKA: vitamin K antagonist.

    bINR: international normalized ratio.

    cCDSS: clinical decision support system.

    Data Extraction and Quality Assessment

    Data extraction and risk of bias analysis were independently performed by 2 investigators using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials [13] and the Cochrane risk of bias for cluster-randomized trials [14]. The body of evidence’s overall quality was rated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach [15].

    Data Synthesis and Analyses

    Statistical analyses were performed with ReviewManager Software (RevMan, version 5.4.1; Cochrane) using random effect models. Mean differences (MDs) were calculated for continuous outcomes, and pooled relative risks (RRs) for binary outcomes with respective 95% CIs.

    Data from cluster trials were pooled after adjusting for the intracluster effect. When adjusted data were not provided in the original publication or after contact with the study authors, we adjusted it using intracluster correlation coefficient values obtained from external studies with similar populations.

    Statistical heterogeneity of the treatment effect among studies was investigated using the I2 statistic. The funnel plot, Egger’s test, and the Trim and Fill method were used to investigate publication bias and were calculated using the Meta-essentials worksheet [16].

    Sensitivity analyses were conducted by excluding each individual study at a time, excluding studies with a high risk of bias, and adjusting cluster trial data using different intracluster correlation coefficient values. Subgroup analyses were carried out for different modalities of telemedicine intervention.


    Search Results and Study Selection

    The electronic search identified 14,376 records. We removed 916 duplicates and screened 13,460 titles. Another 13 records were identified by a manual search of the reference lists. After title and abstract screening, 109 full texts were retrieved. Of these, 84 did not meet the inclusion criteria and were excluded; thus, 25 papers were included (Figure 1).

    ‎
    Figure 1. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flow diagram. RCT: randomized controlled trial.

    Studies and Patients’ Characteristics

    The 25 studies included 3 cluster randomized controlled trials [17-19] and 22 individually randomized parallel-group trials [7-9,20-38], totaling 25,746 patients. One study held 2 independent comparisons based on different INR target ranges, so these distinct pairs of comparisons are represented as “Vadher a” and “Vadher b” in some analyses [22]. Table 2 describes the main characteristics of the included studies.

    AF was the most prevalent indication for anticoagulation (n=12,448, 55.3% of patients with known indication) followed by VTE (n=3842, 16.0%) and valvular heart disease (n=3701, 15.7%). Most studies enrolled patients using VKAs. Patients receiving DOAC were included in 2 studies: they made up 29% (n=329) of patients in the Cox trial and 60% (n=1484) of patients in the Guo trial. Only 4 studies had a mean follow-up period of more than a year.

    Different types of telemedicine interventions were tested across the included studies. In 11 studies [17,20-22,25-29,31,35], the telemedicine intervention was mainly based on the use of clinical decision support system for VKA dose adjustment or scheduling of the next visit. Overall, 12 studies [7-9,23,24,30,32-34,36-38] involved some kind of remote support (either by telephone, mobile app, or internet-based systems) for VKA dose adjustment—8 used self-testing with point-of-care devices for INR measurement, and 4 used conventional laboratory testing. Two studies [18,19] assessed the impact of a multitasking intervention (via a mobile app or a web-based clinical decision support system) for the management of AF in primary care, which included anticoagulation therapy indication and management, along with rate or rhythm control, symptom monitoring, and other cardiovascular risk factors management.

    Most studies used the Rosendaal method to calculate TTR [39]. Four studies made cost analyses [9,17,24,27], which are qualitatively described in Multimedia Appendix 1.

    Table 2. Characteristics of included studies.
    Authors, publication yearRegistration numberValue, nAge (years), mean% male sexIndications for anticoagulationDescription of the interventionDrugFollow-up (months), meanPrimary outcomeThromboembolic events: intervention (%)/ control (%)Major bleeding: intervention (%)/ control (%)Mortality: intervention (%)/ control (%)TTRa: intervention (%)/ control (%)
    Ageno et al (1998) [32]N/Ab10152N/AValvular heart disease: 100%Computer-assisted algorithm for anticoagulant dose adjustment made by phone or faxWarfarin10Average number of INRc testsN/AN/AN/A55.2/ 55.3
    Ayutthaya et al (2018) [7]TCTR201806140065057.640AFd: 62% DVTe/PEf: 30% Valvular heart disease: 34%Telephone follow-up by pharmacistsWarfarin3TTR (Rosendaal method), number of patients with out-of-range INR12/ 248/40/449.8/ 28
    Borgman et al (2012) [28]NCT00993200265354AF: 34.5% DVT: 46% Cerebrovascular disease: 7%Computer-assisted algorithm for anticoagulant dose adjustment (genotype information added)Warfarin3Time to first stable therapeutic INRN/AN/AN/A77.7/ 70.3
    Christensen et al (2011) [30]N/A123N/A74.8AF: 53.4% Cerebrovascular disease: 9.7% DVT/PE: 16.3% Valvular heart disease: 12.5% Others: 13.2%Self-testing and dose adjustments made through a web-based systemWarfarin11TTR (Rosendaal method)N/AN/A0/079.9/ 72.7
    Cox et al (2020) [19]NCT01927367113372.361.8AF: 100%Web-based, point-of-care CDSSg designed to enable rapid, evidence-based treatment of AFWarfarin and DOACh (29%)12AF-related emergency department visit or unplanned cardiovascular hospitalization, and major bleedingN/A1.5/ 1.24.7/ 3.8N/A
    Fihn et al (1994) [20]N/A6206171AF: 17% Cerebrovascular disease: 10% Systemic embolism: 6% DVT/PE: 26% Others: 42%Computer-generated recommendation for scheduling the next visitWarfarin8Follow-up interval scheduled and the quality of anticoagulation control1.9/ 0.94.3/ 4.70/0N/A
    Fitzmaurice et al (1996) [27]N/A23N/AN/AAF: 13% Systemic embolism: 4.3% DVT/PE: 43.4% Valvular heart disease: 30.4% Others: 8.6%Computer-assisted algorithm for anticoagulant dose adjustmentWarfarin12Percentage of INR results in therapeutic range7.1/00/07.1/ 14.3N/A
    Fitzmaurice et al (2000) [17]N/A367N/A55AF: 48% Cerebrovascular disease: 4% Systemic embolism: 2% DVT/PE: 20% Valvular heart disease: 16%Near-patient testing and computer-assisted algorithm for anticoagulant dose adjustmentWarfarin12INR control (point prevalence of patients achieving individual therapeutic INR targets) and TTR1.6/40/02.4/ 2.569/ 62
    Fitzmaurice et al (2002) [9]N/A496575.5AF: 55.1% Others: 44.9%Self-testing and self-management of anticoagulation. Remote support available through pager and telephoneWarfarin6TTR (method not mentioned)N/A0/3.80/3.874/ 77
    Gadisseur et al (2003) [23]N/A32058.571.3AF: 21.3% Cerebrovascular disease: 1.3% Systemic embolism: 2.2% DVT/PE: 20.3% Valvular heart disease: 19.1% Others: 35.6%Self-testing with or without self-management of OATi by patients (phone support by the anticoagulation clinic)Phenprocoumon and acenocoumarol6Quality of anticoagulation therapy; thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events0/02/1.4N/A67.7/ 64.7
    Guo et al (2020) [40]ChiCTR-OOC-17014138247368.962AF: 100%Use of mobile app for integrated management of AF, including anticoagulation managementVKAsj and DOACs (60%)20Composite of stroke, thromboembolism, all-cause death, and rehospitalization0.8/50/0.40.9/ 2.6N/A
    Khan et al (2004) [37]N/A797360AF: 100%Self-testing and dose adjustment made by physician by telephoneWarfarin6TTR (Rosendaal method)N/AN/AN/A71.1/ 70.4
    Manotti et al (2001) [35]N/A125167.154.8Systemic embolism: 26% DVT/PE: 21.2% Valvular heart disease: 14.6% Others: 38.1%Computer-assisted algorithm for anticoagulant dose adjustmentWarfarin and acenocoumarol8.1Percentage of patients reaching a stable INR and TTR (Rosendaal method)N/AN/AN/A71.2/ 68.2
    Matchar et al (2010) [24]NCT0003259129226798AF: 76.5% Valvular heart disease: 23.4%Self-testing and dose adjustments made by phone, after communication of results using interactive voice-response systemWarfarin36Time to first major event (stroke, major bleeding episode, or death)4.8/ 5.612.2/ 13.610.3/ 10.766.2/ 62.4
    Nieuwlaat et al (2012) [25]NCT01024452129868.662.3AF: 47.7% Cerebrovascular disease: 3.6% Valvular heart disease: 25.1% DVT/PE: 15.8% Others: 7.9%Computer-assisted algorithm for anticoagulant dose adjustment and scheduling the next visitWarfarin5.3TTR (Rosendaal method)N/AN/AN/A71/ 71.9
    Poller et al (1993) [31]N/A18664.557.5AF: 12.4% Cerebrovascular disease: 5.4% Systemic embolism: 30.1% Valvular heart disease: 8.1% DVT/PE: 39.8% Others: 4.3%Computer-assisted algorithm for anticoagulant dose adjustmentWarfarin6Binary indicator for out-of-range INRN/A0/00.8/0N/A
    Poller et al (1998) [26]N/A285N/AN/AN/AComputer-assisted algorithm for anticoagulant dose adjustmentWarfarin and acenocoumarolN/ATTR (Rosendaal method)N/AN/AN/A63.3/ 53.2
    Poller et al (2008) [21]N/A13,05266.953.5AF: 45.6% DVT/PE: 24.5% Valvular heart disease: 13% Others: 16.8%Computer-assisted algorithm for anticoagulant dose adjustmentWarfarin, acenocoumarol, and phenprocoumonN/AIncidence of clinical events (bleeding or thrombotic)1.4/ 1.61.4/ 1.51.1/ 0.965.9/ 64.7
    Rasmussen et al (2012) [29]N/A547057N/AComputer-assisted algorithm for anticoagulant dose adjustmentWarfarin7TTR (Rosendaal method)N/AN/AN/A53.1/ 55
    Sidhu and O’Kane (2001) [8]N/A10060.946Valvular heart disease: 100%Self-testing and self-management of anticoagulation. Physician available remotely for doubtsWarfarin24Number of tests in therapeutic range and TTR (Rosendaal method)21.9/ 22.92.4/00/8.376.6/ 63.8
    Staresinic et al (2006) [33]N/A19269.397.4AF: 41.1% Stroke: 9.9% DVT/PE: 12% Valvular heart disease: 18.8% Others: 18.2%Laboratory testing of INR. dose adjustment and counseling made by phone contact by the clinic staffWarfarin36TTR (Rosendaal method)4/9.549/ 45.713.2/ 9.557.8/ 55.1
    Vadher et al (1997) [22]N/A17762.956.5N/AComputer-assisted algorithm for anticoagulant dose adjustmentWarfarinN/ATTR (Rosendaal method)5.4/ 2.2N/AN/A60.7/ 51.6
    Verret et al (2012) [38]NCT0103327911457.768AF: 50.8% Valvular heart disease: 42.1% Others: 7%Self-testing and self-management of anticoagulation. Pharmacist supervision through voicemail messages and telephone contactWarfarin4Anticoagulation-related quality of life0/03.4/ 1.70/0N/A
    Vogeler et al (2021) [34]N/A306193.5LVADk: 100%Self-testing, results transmitted via telemedicine device, and remote dose adjustment by clinic staffWarfarin and phenprocoumon12TTR (Rosendaal method)26/ 6.6N/AN/A58/ 78
    Zhu et al (2021) [36]ChiCTR180001620472150.161Valvular heart disease: 100%Internet-based anticoagulation management via a mobile user interface medical platformWarfarin12TTR (Rosendaal method)0.2/ 0.50.5/ 1.10/0.553/ 46

    aTTR: time in therapeutic range.

    bN/A: not available.

    cINR: international normalized ratio.

    dAF: atrial fibrillation.

    eDVT: deep venous thrombosis.

    fPE: pulmonary embolism.

    gCDSS: clinical decision support system.

    hDOAC: direct oral anticoagulant.

    iOAT: oral anticoagulation therapy.

    jVKA: vitamin K antagonist.

    kLVAD: left ventricular assist device.

    Risk of Bias

    Risk of bias in included studies is shown in Figures 2 and 3. Only 3 studies were considered to have a low risk of bias. No study was double-blinded, which could have caused deviations from the intended interventions in 7 trials. The randomization process was poorly described in 17 studies, and missing relevant outcome data were detected in 5 studies.

    ‎
    Figure 2. Risk of bias in individual randomized studies [7-9,20-38]. Green: low risk of bias; Red: high risk of bias; Yellow: unclear risk of bias.
    ‎
    Figure 3. Risk of bias in cluster randomized studies [17,19,41]. Green: low risk of bias; Yellow: unclear risk of bias.

    Primary and Secondary Outcomes

    The main results of our pooled analyses are shown in Table 3, and forest plots are shown in Figures 4-7. Intracluster correlation coefficient values were not obtained for any of the cluster trials included in our meta-analysis. Therefore, we adjusted the results from these trials using an intracluster correlation coefficient of 0.02 before pooling data. This value was reported in similar primary care cluster studies [41] and was used for sample calculation in one of the included trials [40].

    Telemedicine resulted in lower rates of TTE compared to usual care (n=13 studies, n=19,223 patients, RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.53-1.07; I2=42%; Figure 4), although this difference was not statistically significant. The certainty of the evidence was graded as low due to the serious risk of bias in the included studies and imprecision. We decided not to downgrade the certainty for inconsistency, although I2 suggested moderate heterogeneity because this was entirely explained by the inclusion of 1 trial, as discussed below.

    Overall, 11 studies reported rates of major bleeding, and pooled analysis showed that telemedicine is likely to have no impact on that outcome compared to usual care (n=11 studies, n=19,926 patients, RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82-1.07; I2=0%; Figure 5). The confidence in that estimate was moderate due to the serious risk of bias in the included studies.

    Telemedicine resulted in similar mortality compared to usual care (n=12 studies, n=19,694 patients, RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.78-1.20; I2= 11%; Figure 6). The certainty of the evidence was graded as moderate due to the serious risk of bias in the included studies.

    Moreover, telemedicine resulted in improved TTR compared to usual care (n=16 studies, n=19,609 patients, MD 3.38, 95% CI 1.12-5.65; I2=90%; Figure 7) though the certainty of the evidence was graded as low due to the serious risk of bias in included studies and inconsistency among studies.

    Although the 95% CIs for major bleeding and mortality crossed the null effect, we decided not to downgrade the certainty for imprecision because the intervals were notably narrow, so we considered the true effect to lie in the similarity between both groups.

    There was no evidence of publication bias for most evaluated outcomes with a symmetrical distribution of trials across the funnel plots. Mortality was the only outcome with an asymmetrical distribution of studies in the funnel plot with significantly more studies published in favor of intervention. In spite of that asymmetry, Egger’s test resulted in a nonsignificant P value (.135). Also, adjusted odds ratio, including the 5 missing studies estimated by Fill and Trim method, indicated that our conclusion would not be significantly altered by a potential publication bias (adjusted odds ratio 0.99, 95% CI 0.83-1.19). Therefore, we decided not to downgrade the confidence in any of the outcomes for publication bias. A detailed analysis of publication bias can be found in Figure S1 and Table S1 in Multimedia Appendix 1.

    Table 3. Summary of findings: telemedicine compared to usual care for oral anticoagulation management in adult outpatients.
    Study designStudies, nCertainty assessmentPatients, n/N (%)EffectCertainty
    Risk of biasInconsistencyIndirectnessImprecisionOther considerationsTelemedicineUsual careRelative (95% CI)Absolute (95% CI)
    Total thromboembolic events
    Randomized trials13Seriousa,b,cNot seriousdNot seriousSeriouseNone204/9657 (2.1)256/9566 (2.7)0.75 (0.53-1.07)7 fewer per 1.000 (from 13 fewer to 2 more)
    Low
    Major bleeding
    Randomized trials11Seriousa,b,cNot seriousNot seriousNot seriousfNone349/10,085 (3.5)371/9877 (3.8)0.94 (0.82-1.07)2 fewer per 1.000 (from 7 fewer to 3 more)
    Moderate
    Death
    Randomized trials12Seriousa,b,cNot seriousNot seriousNot seriousfNoneg271/9965 (2.7)275/9729 (2.8)0.96 (0.78-1.20)1 fewer per 1.000 (from 6 fewer to 6 more)
    Moderate
    TTRh
    Randomized trials16Seriousa,b,cSeriousiNot seriousNot seriousNone98139796—jMDk 3.38 higher (1.12 higher to 5.65 higher)
    Low

    aA significant number of trials were not adequately masked. However, this is due to the nature of the intervention, and we judged that it would not significantly impact objective outcomes such as death, thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events, or TTR.

    bDowngraded for unclear or inadequate randomization process.

    cDowngraded for high or unclear risk of missing outcome data.

    dAlthough I2 suggested serious heterogeneity, we decided not to downgrade for inconsistency because this is completely explained by the inclusion of 1 study [18].

    eThe CI includes an important benefit but also a small harm, since it slightly crosses the null effect.

    fWe decided not to downgrade for imprecision although 95% CI includes the null effect because the intervals are very narrow and centralized in the null effect, which corroborate similarity between telemedicine and usual care.

    gFunnel plot shows an asymmetrical distribution of studies, with significantly more studies published in favor of intervention. Egger’s test resulted in a nonsignificant P value (.135) and the adjusted odds ratio (OR), including the 5 missing studies estimated by Fill and Trim method, indicated that our conclusion would not be significantly altered by a potential publication bias (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.83-1.19). Therefore, we decided not to downgrade for publication bias.

    hTTR: time in therapeutic range.

    iDespite I2 of 90%, all but one trial results range from a null effect to a positive effect of telemedicine on TTR. Therefore, we decided to consider it only serious.

    jNot available.

    kMD: mean difference.

    ‎
    Figure 4. Forest plot of the comparison: telemedicine interventions versus usual care. Outcome: total thromboembolic events.
    ‎
    Figure 5. Forest plot of the comparison: telemedicine interventions versus usual care. Outcome: major bleeding.
    ‎
    Figure 6. Forest plot of the comparison: telemedicine interventions versus usual care. Outcome: all-cause death.
    ‎
    Figure 7. Forest plot of the comparison: telemedicine interventions versus usual care. Outcome: time in therapeutic range.

    Sensitivity and Subgroup Analyses

    Sensitivity analyses did not significantly affect the pooled estimated effect for any of the outcomes, neither by the exclusion of each individual study nor by excluding those with a high risk of bias. Likewise, similar pooled effect estimates were obtained when the results of cluster studies were adjusted using an intracluster correlation coefficient of 0.05 (Figure S2 in Multimedia Appendix 1). Nevertheless, excluding Guo’s study from the analysis of TTE reduced the I2 statistics from 42% to 0%.

    Subgroup analyses were carried out for different modalities of telemedicine intervention. Results are shown in Table 4. The only subgroup that yielded a significant result was one of the multitasking interventions, which resulted in a significant reduction of TTE (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.08-0.48) compared to usual care. Although a better TTR in telemedicine group had already been shown in overall results, the magnitude of the effect in the multitasking application subgroup was larger than in other subgroups.

    Table 4. Subgroup analysis for different types of telemedicine intervention.
    OutcomeComputer-assisted dosingLaboratory testing + remote adjustmentSelf-testingMultitasking applicationP value for subgroup differences
    Total thromboembolic events, RRa (95% CI)0.92 (0.71 to 1.20)0.46 (0.20 to 1.07)0.90 (0.65 to 1.26)0.20 (0.08 to 0.48).005
    Major bleeding, RR (95% CI)0.90 (0.75 to 1.08)1.08 (0.80 to 1.45)0.93 (0.70 to 1.23)0.84 (0.36 to 1.98).77
    Death, RR (95% CI)1.05 (0.76 to 1.45)1.27 (0.58 to 2.76)0.84 (0.44 to 1.62)0.62 (0.20 to 1.92).70
    TTRb, MDc (95% CI)2.19 (−0.44 to 4.81)11.06 (−7.51 to 29.63)3.24 (0.16 to 6.32)7.00 (3.71 to 10.29).12

    aRR: relative risk.

    bTTR: time in therapeutic range.

    cMD: mean difference.


    Principal Findings

    This systematic review showed that telemedicine-based OAT management resulted in a better quality of anticoagulation compared to usual care, demonstrated by an improved TTR. The estimated effect for thromboembolic events was not statistically significant. Still, it did show a 25% RR reduction and a 95% CI that barely crossed the null effect, indicating a trend for benefit. In the multitasking intervention subgroup, the reduction in TTE reached a greater magnitude (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.08-0.48). We also found similar rates of major bleeding and all-cause death in the telemedicine and usual care group. Despite the risk of bias in the included studies, the confidence in those estimates was considered moderate for major bleeding and mortality, as the results were robust and consistent. The confidence level for the other outcomes was low due to the high risk of bias in the included studies as well as imprecision for TTE and inconsistency for TTR.

    Three recent systematic reviews [42-44] aimed to answer a similar question, albeit 2 of those focused on telephone-based interventions only. All of them were limited by methodological issues, such as the inclusion of nonrandomized studies, incorrect interpretation of the Cochrane risk of bias tool, classifying studies as having low risk of bias despite having a high or uncertain risk of bias in one of the domains, or a lack of a clear definition of the comparator, including trials in which both treatment and control groups received technology-based interventions [43]. Therefore, an appropriate evidence synthesis, with a comprehensive search, a judicious selection of included studies, and strict methodological criteria, was warranted, and this review meets that evidence gap.

    This research was innovative in demonstrating that multitasking telemedicine interventions significantly reduced thromboembolic events and improved anticoagulation quality. This emphasizes the importance of modern telemedicine interventions consisting of bundles of care rather than isolated interventions. Their impact stems from enhanced access to health care, higher quality of care, and better integration of various levels of health services [45]. Technology-based interventions may help implement integrated care of chronic diseases such as AF, heart valve disease, and VTE, beyond anticoagulation management.

    Precisely, the Guo et al [18] trial, which tested a multitasking telemedicine intervention for managing patients with AF, found that telemedicine resulted in an important reduction in TTE and mortality. The intervention consisted of a mobile app for integrated management of AF, including anticoagulation indication and management, symptoms control, cardiovascular risk, and comorbidity management, as recommended in current guidelines. The multifaceted intervention, along with the longer follow-up period, may have greatly contributed to the observed effects. The larger impact of the Guo trial, significantly greater than the effect found in any other trial, was probably the reason for the heterogeneity observed in the pooled analysis for TTE, which was abolished after the Guo et al [18] trial exclusion.

    The short length of follow-up of most trials may have hindered the impact on clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, it was enough to demonstrate that telemedicine resulted in a better quality of anticoagulation, expressed by an improved TTR. The pooled MD was 3.38 for the entire body of evidence and 7.0 for the multitasking intervention subgroup, highlighting the remarkable impact of multifaceted telemedicine interventions. High heterogeneity in TTR was already anticipated due to the wide range of settings and telehealth strategies in the included studies. Additionally, a higher heterogeneity is usually expected in meta-analyses of continuous outcomes [46]. Different baseline TTRs also could have influenced the impact of the intervention, as it is expected that populations with lower baseline TTRs derive a larger benefit from any intervention that promotes a better quality of therapy [7,34-36]. Even in recent clinical trials of DOAC versus warfarin, TTR in control groups varied widely across various geographical regions [47], reaching values as low as 36% in India. Hence, eHealth implementation may positively impact the quality of anticoagulation, especially in underserved regions.

    The complexity and potential hazards associated with OAT, especially VKAs, make it a still underused therapy, and anticipation of difficulty in management is a frequent barrier to an adequate prescription of OAT [48]. Data from different countries and regions show heterogeneous prescription patterns ranging from 76% in high-income countries [49] to as low as 9% in low-income countries [50]. As a result, increasing access to appropriate anticoagulation treatment through telehealth strategies, particularly for underserved populations, may significantly impact their outcomes. This may not be apparent in this research because most studies were conducted in higher-income countries where baseline anticoagulation quality was already high.

    Given the rapid uptake of DOAC prescribing worldwide, largely replacing VKAs in many countries, one could question if there will still be a place for telemedicine intervention in managing such treatment in the near future. First of all, VKAs remain the best anticoagulant drug choice in 3 important conditions, that is, antiphospholipid syndrome [51], mechanical heart valves [4], and rheumatic valve disease, as confirmed in a recent trial [5]. Secondly, we included 2 trials addressing DOAC prescribing for patients with AF [18,19]. The telemedicine strategy in both studies incorporated multitasking interventions such as calculating risk scores for thromboembolic and bleeding risks, recommending adjusted DOAC doses based on renal function, age, and other relevant variables, monitoring renal and liver function, suggesting switching from VKA to DOAC when deemed appropriate, and promoting drug adherence through patient diaries and reminders. Therefore, we believe that telemedicine-based OAT management can be beneficial even in the DOAC era, preferably as part of an integrated care pathway.

    Concerning costs, evidence is still lacking. In a recently published cost analysis of the ThrombEVAL study [52], the rise in direct costs was outweighed by the lower frequency of adverse events and hospitalizations in patients managed by telemedicine-based intervention, which led to an important reduction in health care expenditures. As cost and reimbursement barriers continue to limit the implementation of telemedicine services, future studies should conduct in-depth cost-effective analyses of the various types of telemedicine strategies to support anticoagulation management. This may help to support public health implementation and the discussion of reimbursement strategies.

    This research has some limitations. It included a broad range of different types of telemedicine interventions that may constrain the applicability of our results. However, subgroup analysis should overcome this flaw. The underlying conditions for which anticoagulation was prescribed were also variable, but this reflects the reality of most anticoagulation clinics. Overall, the risk of bias in individual studies was moderate to high. Nonetheless, it is crucial to consider that double-blinding is often impossible due to the nature of the intervention, that is, patients followed remotely by telephone would always know they were allocated to the intervention. Moreover, since we analyzed objective outcomes, the lack of blinding was not considered a major issue. Another limitation was the substantial heterogeneity of TTE and TTR outcomes, as discussed earlier.

    Conclusions

    This systematic review provides evidence that telemedicine-based management of OAT results in similar rates of major bleeding and mortality compared to usual care, a trend for a benefit for TTE, and a better quality of anticoagulation, as measured by TTR. Furthermore, telemedicine resulted in an important reduction of TTE in the subgroup of multitasking intervention. Given the potential benefits of telemedicine-based management, such as greater access to remote populations or people with ambulatory restrictions, these findings may encourage further implementation of eHealth strategies for anticoagulation management, particularly as part of multifaceted interventions for integrated care of chronic diseases. Meanwhile, researchers should develop higher-quality evidence focusing on hard clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and quality of life.

    Acknowledgments

    The authors would like to thank Laura Caetano de Sá for her assistance in the studies selection process. This study is supported in part by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico—CNPq grant 428433/2016-2), National Institute of Science and Technology for Health Technology Assessment (Instituto de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde—IATS)/CNPq (grant 465518/2014-1), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES grant 88887.507149/2020-00), and Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC—27849*8). MSM was supported in part by CNPq (grant 310561/2021-3). AR is supported in part by CNPq (310790/2021-2) and by Minas Gerais State Agency for Research and Development (FAPEMIG PPM-00428-17 and RED-00081-16). LFAM and TMP received scholarships from Pró-Reitoria de Extensão from Federal University of Minas Gerais (PROEX UFMG).

    The sponsors had no role in the study design; data collection, management, analysis, and interpretation; writing the manuscript; and decision to submit it for publication.

    Data Availability

    Data will be made available upon request.

    Authors' Contributions

    LBF and MSM conceived and designed the study. LBF, MSM, RLA, AA, HA, IW, LSDNF, LFAM, LSFC, MAPM, NSA, RCFC, SRF, TGPA, and TMP participated in the study selection and data collection. LBF, MSM, AR, and EB performed statistical data analysis and interpretation of results. LBF wrote the first draft of the manuscript, and all the authors critically revised it. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript and agree to be accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the research.

    Conflicts of Interest

    None declared.

    Multimedia Appendix 1

    Search strategies, full publication bias assessment, cost analysis and sensitivity analysis forest plots.

    PDF File (Adobe PDF File), 1007 KB
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    ‎
    AF: atrial fibrillation
    DOAC: direct oral anticoagulant
    INR: international normalized ratio
    MD: mean difference
    OAT: oral anticoagulation therapy
    PRISMA: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
    RR: relative risk
    TTE: thromboembolic event
    TTR: time in therapeutic range
    VKA: vitamin K antagonist
    VTE: venous thromboembolism

    Edited by A Mavragani; submitted 22.01.23; peer-reviewed by J Ansell, J Zhang; comments to author 17.02.23; revised version received 29.03.23; accepted 03.04.23; published 10.07.23.

    Copyright

    ©Letícia Braga Ferreira, Rodrigo Lanna de Almeida, Alair Arantes, Hebatullah Abdulazeem, Ishanka Weerasekara, Leticia Santos Dias Norberto Ferreira, Luana Fonseca de Almeida Messias, Luciana Siuves Ferreira Couto, Maria Auxiliadora Parreiras Martins, Núbia Suelen Antunes, Raissa Carolina Fonseca Cândido, Samuel Rosa Ferreira, Tati Guerra Pezzini Assis, Thais Marques Pedroso, Eric Boersma, Antonio Ribeiro, Milena Soriano Marcolino. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 10.07.2023.

    This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on https://www.jmir.org/, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.