[Telemonitoring in patients with COPD and acute exacerbations]

Abstract

A major problem associated with COPD is exacerbation. Symptoms include increased shortness of breathing, coughing, wheezing and sputum production. The frequency and severity of exacerbations are associated with a higher mortality risk. Early recognition and treatment have been shown to reduce severity of exacerbations, consecutive morbidity and hospital admissions. Telemonitoring of (nocturnal) lungsounds, oxygen saturation and frequency of breathing may offer the opportunity to detect symptoms of exacerbations very early. Therefore further research is needed to clarify precisely the role of telemonitoring in patients with COPD and exacerbations.