COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TRADITIONAL AND REMOTE MONITORING OF CLINICAL SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC INTERNAL DISEASES
Abstract
Background. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) imposes a heavy global burden due to high morbidity, disability, and mortality. Traditional outpatient monitoring faces resource constraints, and the comparative effectiveness of remote symptom-based surveillance remains insufficiently studied, particularly in Central Asian settings. Aim. To compare the effectiveness of traditional versus remote monitoring of clinical symptoms in patients with COPD. Materials and Methods. A prospective randomized trial enrolled 240 patients with confirmed COPD, allocated to a traditional monitoring group (regular clinic visits every 3 months, n=120) and a remote monitoring group (daily symptom logging via a mobile application, weekly data review by a healthcare provider, and teleconsultations, n=120). The follow-up period was 12 months. Spirometry, CAT, mMRC, exacerbation rate, and risk factors were analyzed. Results. The remote monitoring group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in CAT score (–4.2±0.8 vs. –1.1±0.6; p<0.001) and mMRC, alongside a lower mean annual exacerbation rate (0.82±0.15 vs. 1.43±0.21 per patient; p=0.003). Lung function remained stable without marked intergroup differences. Heavy smoking and occupational exposures were confirmed as predictors of severe disease. Conclusion. Remote clinical symptom monitoring is superior to traditional follow-up in improving health-related quality of life and reducing exacerbation frequency, supporting its integration into long-term COPD management strategies.