Utilization and Effectiveness of eHealth Technology in the Follow‐up of Celiac Disease

Abstract

Objectives: To systematically review the literature on the utilization and effectiveness of electronic-health technologies (eHealth), such as smartphone applications, in managing patients with celiac disease (CD). Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were all searched (until February 2021). Inclusion criteria were full-text English articles reporting original data on the use of eHealth technologies in the followup of CD patients, with no age restriction. Exclusion criteria were studies only using non-interactive websites and phone consultation as the primary eHealth method. The results were summarized narratively. Results: Using identified keywords, 926 unique studies were identified. After title and abstract screening by two independent reviewers, 26 studies were reviewed in full text. Finally, eight studies were included in this systematic review, and their quality appraised using standardized forms. Of the eight studies, six were randomized-controlled trials, one mixed-methods study, and one cross-sectional, observational study. Studies were assessed to be of ''low'' to ''moderate'' methodological quality. Studied eHealth technologies included web-based interventions, smartphone applications, text messaging, and online consultations. The most consistently reported effects related to improved quality of life (number of studies ¼ 4), knowledge on CD (n ¼ 3), and dietary adherence (n ¼ 2); notably, only one study reported reduced costs of eHealth vs. standard (in-office) care. Conclusions: Although eHealth has the potential to improve the management of CD, so far, the research in the field is scarce and generally of low-moderate methodological quality. Hence, the effectiveness of eHealth in CD management remains uncertain, and more high-quality evidence is required before its utility is known.

Coronavirus disease 2019 and gastrointestinal disorders in children

“… 162 For example, the pandemic necessitated a rapid adaptation to remote care delivery, 163 , 164 and a rise in virtual care for chronic GI conditions (e.g. IBD 165 and CeD 166 ). While patient satisfaction with virtual care is typically reported to be high, 164 and its use has been linked to reduced travel costs and school absences, the effectiveness of virtual GI clinics has not been thoroughly studied.…”