An education‐based telehealth group improves the management and clinical outcomes of patients with inflammatory bowel disease in China (THEIM study)

Abstract Background Although poor medication adherence has a negative impact on disease prognosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), finding proven solutions remains a challenge. In this study, we developed a telehealth management model based on education and patient‐centered medical care (PCEB) using the social media platform WeChat. Objective To investigate the effect of PCEB on adherence and clinical outcomes. Methods In this retrospective cohort, 543 IBD patients (274 in the PCEB group and 269 in the routine group) at the IBD center of Renmin Hospital (Wuhan University, Wuhan, China) were enrolled between January 2020 and September 2022. The routine group received routine follow‐up and management, while for PCEB patients, a comprehensive IBD education program and PCEB were conducted. Medication adherence and clinical outcomes were also evaluated. Results There were no differences between the PCEB and routine groups in terms of patient demographics and clinical characteristics, including disease classification, duration, biological treatment, and educational background at baseline. Compared with routine treatment, PCEB greatly improved patient medication adherence, as assessed by compliance with oral medication, enteral nutrition, biological infusion, and scheduled endoscopic assessment. Clinical and endoscopic remission in patients with PCEB increased during short‐term (month 4) and long‐term (month 12) follow‐ups, along with a decrease in relapse rates for CD (13.3% vs. 31.8%) and UC (19.8% vs. 37.2%). Conclusion The telehealth model applied to the PCEB group improved medication adherence and clinical outcomes in patients with IBD. This is a new and powerful solution for the long‐term management of this chronic and progressive disease.