Telemonitoring use for uncontrolled hypertension management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Within the context of uncontrolled blood pressure telemonitoring, the remote tracking of blood pressure and patient data, offers a transformative avenue. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis of the strategic redesign of healthcare services, harnessing information and communication technology (ICT) to enhance hypertension management and blood pressure control in primary care, providing timely interventions, and improving patient outcomes. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for RCTs comparing ICT with usual care in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. A random-effects model was used to calculate the risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of twenty-eight studies and 13,111 patients were included, of whom 7,312 were randomized to ICT and 5,799 to usual care. Compared with standard care, ICT significantly reduced systolic blood pressure (MD -4.44 mmHg; 95% CI -5.55,-3.33; p<0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (MD -1.08 mmHg; 95% CI -1.71,-0.45; p<0.01). There was no significant difference between groups for adherence (RR 1.16; 95%CI 0.89-1.50; p=0.27). CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis of RCTs of patients with uncontrolled hypertension, ICT was associated with a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressures, compared with usual care.