AF-EduApp: Effect of Targeted Education for Atrial Fibrillation Patients (Application Substudy)
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The aim of this study is to evaluate a new and innovative educational application based on targeted education on the adherence level for NOACs (non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants) in AF patients, compared with standard care, online targeted education and in-person targeted education.
Several other parameters (knowledge level, quality of life, symptom burden, self-care capabilities, evaluation of educational efforts) will be studied. If resources allow, cardiovascular outcomes, cost-effectiveness and cost-utility will also be investigated.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed Description
This substudy is part of the AF-EduCare study (NCT03707873): an extra study arm will be added to the main trial in which eligible AF patients (= in possession of a smartphone and capable working with their smartphone) will test this new educational application. Not eligible patients randomized to this group, will receive standard care.
This extra study arm will additionally include an anticipated 221 patients (eligible plus not eligible patients).
[An anticipated total of 1259 AF patients will be included for the AF-EduCare study (1038 AF patients) plus the AF-EduApp substudy (221 AF patients).]
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Application-driven education (AF-EduApp substudy) Education will be given via a newly developed application. Medication adherence (oral anticoagulation) will be measured using a special bottle cap that fits on a medication bottle. The patients in this group will receive feedback (notification and/or alarm) during the entire study period via this application when these patients have to take their medication. |
Other: Education
Education + Medication adherence monitoring + Feedback when low adherence
|
| Experimental: In-person education (AF-EduCare study) Education will be given on regular basis via predefined consultation visits. Medication adherence (oral anticoagulation) will also be measured using a special bottle cap that fits on a medication bottle. If adherence is low, the patient will get additional feedback when he does not take this medication as prescribed. |
Other: Education
Education + Medication adherence monitoring + Feedback when low adherence
|
| Experimental: Online education (AF-EduCare study) Education will be given on regular basis via a special designed online platform. Medication adherence (oral anticoagulation) will also be measured using a special bottle cap that fits on a medication bottle. If adherence is low, the patient will get additional feedback when he does not take this medication as prescribed. |
Other: Education
Education + Medication adherence monitoring + Feedback when low adherence
|
| No Intervention: Standard care (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduAppsub study) This group of AF patients will serve as a control group and no extra focused educational reinforcements will be provided beyond standard care (i.e. information of the treating physician and a brochure). |
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Patients' adherence to medication (oral anticoagulation), measured by the Medication Events Monitoring System (MEMS). [Monitored between 0-12 months and 12-15 months if resources allow.]
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Patients' knowledge level, assessed by the Jessa Atrial fibrillation Knowledge Questionnaire (JAKQ) [at baseline,1 month,3-,6-,12 months in the application group.(+18-and if applicable at 24-,30-,36 months/at the end of the study in the other intervention groups).In the standard care groups at 12 or 18 months (if applicable at the end of the study).]
This questionnaire includes 16 knowledge questions: 8 about atrial fibrillation, 5 about oral anticoagulation medication and 3 about vitamine K antagonists or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants. A total score between 0% and 100% will be generated in which 100% is the best possible score (all questions are answered correctly).
- Patients' quality of life, assessed by the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire and the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-Life (AFEQT) Questionnaire. [at baseline, 3- and 12 months in the application group.(+18-and if applicable at 36 months/at the end of the study in the other intervention groups.) In the standard care groups at baseline and 12 or 18 months (and if applicable at the end of the study).]
The EQ-5D-3L descriptive system includes a total of 5 questions for 5 dimensions (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression). Each question has 3 levels (no problems, some problems, and extreme problems). The EQ Visual Analogue Scale records the patient's self-rated health on a vertical visual analogue scale where the endpoints are labelled 'Best imaginable health state' (score of 100) and 'Worst imaginable health state' (score of 0).
- Patients' quality of life, assessed by the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-Life (AFEQT) Questionnaire. [at baseline and 12 months in the application group.(+18-and if applicable at 36 months/at the end of the study in the other intervention groups.) In the standard care groups at baseline and 12 or 18 months (and if applicable at the end of the study).]
The AFEQT is an atrial fibrillation-specific health-related quality of life questionnaire based on 18 questions in the domain of symptoms, daily activities and treatment concerns. A treatment satisfaction score can be calculated based on 2 additional questions. All questions are rated on a 7 point Likert scale. A scoring key is used to determine an overall AFEQT score and a treatment satisfaction score ranging from 0 to 100. A lower score indicates a worse health-related quality of life.
- Patients' symptom burden, assessed by the Leuven ARrhythmia Questionnaire (LARQ). [at baseline,3- and 12 months in the application group.(+18-and if applicable at 36 months/at the end of the study in the other intervention groups).In the standard care groups at baseline and 12 or 18 months (and if applicable at the end of the study).]
The LARQ is based on 6 atrial fibrillation-related symptoms: palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, syncope, dizziness and fatigue. For each of these symptoms (except syncope), symptom prevalence, occurrence (frequency, duration, severity), distress, circumstances triggering the symptom, and effect on daily activities are requested. Subscale scores on five domains (symptom frequency, duration, effect on daily activities, severity and distress) are calculated by summing the raw scores and transforming them to a 0-100 scale. Higher scores represent a more pronounced symptom burden.
- Patients' self-care capabilities, assessed by the Self-Care Questionnaire (SCQ). [at baseline, 3- and 12 months in the application group. (+18-and if applicable 36 months/at the end of the study in the other intervention groups).In the standard care groups at baseline and 12 or 18 months (and if applicable at the end of the study).]
This questionnaire includes a total of 15 questions. The first 6 questions will be scored on a 1 to 5 Likert scale. 1 is the best score and 5 is the worst score. The other 9 questions measure evolutions of self-care capabilities over time.
- Patients' satisfaction of the intervention will be assessed by a study specific Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) questionnaire. [at 12 months in all intervention groups and 12 or 18 months in the standard care groups.]
The number of questions will depend on the specific group allocation, ranging from a minimum of 4 questions to a maximum of 20 questions. These questions assess patients' satisfaction and opinion about the education provided during the study.
Other Outcome Measures
- The first occurrence of a cardiovascular event [Patients (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy) will be followed for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.]
The first occurrence of a composite of cardiovascular death, a first cardiovascular hospitalization (i.e. hospitalization with overnight stay) and a first unplanned cardiovascular or neurological visit.
- Mortality [Patients (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy) will be followed for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.]
The occurrence of death will be followed.
- Number of (un)planned hospital admissions [Patients (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy) will be followed for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.]
- Hospital duration [Patients (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy) will be followed for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.]
- Number of (un)planned cardiovascular and neurological visits [Patients (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy) will be followed for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.]
- Number of cardiovascular emergency department visits [Patients (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy) will be followed for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.]
- General practitioner visits [Patients (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy) will be followed for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.]
- Exact time investments (in minutes) [Patients (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy) will be followed for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.]
Time investments will be tracked (e.g. timing of the initiation session, the education sessions, feedback during medication telemonitoring, time spended on the application time and content usage).
- Cost-utility analysis [Patients (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy) will be followed for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.]
In all groups, the economic impact of hospitalizations, consultations, emergency department visits will be calculated using all relevant costs of inpatient and outpatient diagnostic/interventional procedures, based on the mean of hospital bills of each participating hospital. Since quality of life is evaluated throughout the trial, a cost-utility analysis will be performed.
- Cost-effectiveness analysis [Patients (AF-EduCare study and AF-EduApp substudy) will be followed for a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.]
In all groups, the economic impact of hospitalizations, consultations, emergency department visits will be calculated using all relevant costs of inpatient and outpatient diagnostic/interventional procedures, based on the mean of hospital bills of each participating hospital. With this data, a cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
-
Age ≥ 18 years.
-
Patients in whom AF or atrial flutter is diagnosed with an electrocardiogram (12-lead, holter,...).
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Patients who are capable to sign the informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
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Not able to speak and read Dutch.
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Cognitive impaired (e.g. severe dementia).
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Life expectancy is estimated to be less than 1 year.
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Ongoing participation in another clinical trial.
-
Pregnant women
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antwerp University Hospital | Edegem | Belgium | ||
| 2 | Jessa Hospital | Hasselt | Belgium |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- University Hospital, Antwerp
- Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Universiteit Antwerpen
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Hein Heidbuchel, MD, Phd, University Hospital of Antwerp
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- AF-EduApp / EC 18/12/171
- CV185-696