RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Cognitive function of patients with COPD after virtual admission - A randomized clinical trial JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P549 VO 40 IS Suppl 56 A1 Lone Schou A1 Birte Østergaard A1 Lars Rasmussen A1 Susan Rydahl-Hansen A1 Anna Svarre Jakobsen A1 Christina Emme A1 Klaus Phanareth YR 2012 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P549.abstract AB Background: Substantial healthcare resources are spent on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). As a result, the involvement of patients in monitoring of their condition has been suggested. However, the level of cognitive functioning must be taken into consideration before self-care strategies can be adopted.Aim: We hypothesized that cognitive performance would be better in COPD patients allocated to virtual admission - using a telemedicine solution - compared to patients admitted to conventional hospitalization after exacerbation.Methods: This study was a Randomized Clinical Trial. The primary outcome was cognitive function evaluated at discharge and after six weeks using a neuropsychological test battery comprising 4 tests and 7 variables. Secondary outcomes included self-reported cognitive function (SCF), activities of daily living (IADL), and anxiety and depression (HADS).Results: We included 44 patients consecutively. Baseline data were; Mean age 70 years (SD 10); forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 1.0 L (SD 0.55); Oxygen saturation 94.5 (SD 2.0); and a Mini Mental State Examination score of 27.5 points (SD 1.6). The performance in all seven neuropsychological test variables tended to be better in the group allocated to virtual admission, but the difference was only statistically significant in the time for the Stroop Color Word test, (p=0.05). The pattern was the same at follow-up after six weeks but the differences were less pronounced. There were no significant differences in SCF, IADL, and HADS at discharge or after 6 weeks.Conclusion: Cognitive function may be better preserved in COPD patients treated for exacerbation during virtual admission at home.