Luchtbrug Junior: the Next Step

Rationale:

The introduction of e-health in the monitoring and management of patients with chronic conditions can be beneficial and efficient. The introduction of an online monitoring and management tool, "Luchtbrug", for children 6-16 yrs of age with asthma while reducing 50% of visits to the outpatient clinic, results in similar or improved asthma control while reducing costs. It is highly likely that this concept of e-health is suitable for other chronic conditions. Therefore the aim of the study is to investigate the added value of online monitoring and management of children with preschool wheeze (2-6 yrs of age).

Objective: To assess whether the number of symptom free days can be improved using online monitoring and disease management via Luchtbrug Junior, while reducing the number of outpatient clinic visits by 50%

Study design: Prospective multicentre (n=6) randomised trial in which disease management via Luchtbrug Junior will be compared with usual care.

Follow-up: 12 months.

Study population: children aged 2-6 yrs with preschool wheezing (multiple episode of cough, wheeze and dyspnoea).

Intervention (if applicable): Children will be randomised into usual care (n=135) or partly online care via Luchtbrug Junior (n = 135)

Main study parameters/endpoints:

Primary objective: Number of symptom free days (SFDs) based on the TRACK questionnaire, during the last four weeks of the study (measured at 12 months).

Secondary objectives:

Healthcare consumption: unscheduled visits Emergency Department (ED) or outpatient clinic, unscheduled phone calls, hospital admissions) Questionnaires into: Quality of Life (QoL), cost-effectiveness (direct and indirect costs), self-management of patients, adherence to treatment, satisfaction of parents/caregivers.

Usual care consists of regular visits to the outpatient clinic every 3 months after starting the study. In between visits contact with the healthcare team is by telephone as needed. At 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, patients will be asked to complete the TRACK questionnaire.

Online care using Luchtbrug Junior will include visits to the outpatient clinic every 6 months after starting the study. In between visits, parents/caregivers of the patient will be asked to answer the digital version of TRACK questionnaire monthly, therefore the parents/caregivers will received email-reminders. Appropriate feedback on their TRACK-scores will be provided by their healthcare team within two working days. Any interventions such as adjustment of treatment are at the judgment of the treating pediatrician. Therapy adherence will be monitored during the study by using smart inhalers.