None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Chronic liver disease (CLD), characterised by complications such as ascites, encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, and hepatocellular carcinoma, is a major health concern in Australia. While effective evidence-based therapies exist, delivery of this care has been proven to be sub-optimal. Smartphone-based technologies represent a promising tool for effective disease management and improving patient engagement. Indeed, real-time data collection has demonstrated feasibility and acceptability in a variety of conditions—from schizophrenic disorders , to diabetes, to some promising initial work in liver health . However, in the context of ascites management, there is a need for real-world trials to explore the feasibility and utility of this technology. The objective of this study therefore is to determine the feasibility of a smartphone-based application in the management of ascites in CLD patients in our hospital and community setting.
Interventions
Using a smartphone application, and scales, to better manage ascites/liver disease. Upon consent, participants will have an orientation visit in hospital (approximately 30mins) where they will be set up with their WiFi enabled scales and the smartphone application. Participants are required to weigh themselves daily for the duration of the study (6mths) and answer 4 questions regarding their health and medication adherence (max 10mins). Each week they will be asked 2 additional questions regardi
Using a smartphone application, and scales, to better manage ascites/liver disease. Upon consent, participants will have an orientation visit in hospital (approximately 30mins) where they will be set up with their WiFi enabled scales and the smartphone application. Participants are required to weigh themselves daily for the duration of the study (6mths) and answer 4 questions regarding their health and medication adherence (max 10mins). Each week they will be asked 2 additional questions regarding their overall health (5mins). Participants will have their standard of care follow-up in clinic as needed. Participants weight will be monitored daily by the study team (hepatologist and chronic liver disease nurses) with interventions (phone call, bloods, paracentesis) made should an alert appear. Alerts will be triggered if a participant gains more than 3kgs over 3 days or gains more than 5kgs over 1 week, with additional alerts to be turned on depending if a participant has oedema or not.
Sponsors
Southern Adelaide Local Health Network
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Age greater than or equal to 18 years Ability to provide informed consent Patients with cirrhotic ascites requiring active management Patient owns an android or iOS compatible smartphone Patient is able to use a smartphone device at a basic level
Exclusion criteria
Patient with severe cognitive impairment Patients with insufficient command of the English language to be able to understand the instructions Patients who do not have, or are unable to use, a smartphone device Patients under active management by Palliative care services or an expected survival of <3 months
Outcome results
None listed