TABLE 3.
Baseline Demographic Parameters, Feasibility, Patient‐Centered Outcomes, and Impact of Telehepatology Services Among the Improved and Non‐improved Groups
| Parameter | Improved (n = 104) | Non‐improved (n = 106) | P Value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 46.5 (35.2‐50) | 45.5 (35‐55) | 0.698 |
| Male : female | 70:34 | 72:34 | 0.924 |
| Socioeconomic status (MKS) | |||
| Upper class | 1 (1) | 2 (1.9) | |
| Upper middle class | 30 (28.8) | 26 (24.5) | 0.844 |
| Lower middle class | 37 (35.6) | 38 (35.8) | |
| Upper lower class | 36 (34.6) | 40 (37.7) | |
| Lower class | 0 | 0 | |
| Population (rural : urban) | 65:39 | 63:43 | 0.649 |
| Comorbidity present | 27 (26) | 30 (28.3) | 0.703 |
| Diagnosis | |||
| Cirrhosis | 41 (39.4) | 37 (34.9) | |
| Compensated cirrhosis | 7 (17.1) | 7 (18.9) | |
| Decompensated Cirrhosis | 34 (82.9) | 30 (81.1) | |
| Cirrhosis with HCC | 10 (9.6) | 14 (13.2) | |
| Chronic viral hepatitis | 33 (31.7) | 35 (33) | 0.205 |
| NAFLD | 9 (8.7) | 7 (6.6) | |
| ALD | 4 (3.8) | 0 | |
| NCPH | 1 (1) | 3 (2.8) | |
| Acute hepatitis | 6 (5.8) | 4 (3.8) | |
| EHBO | 4 (3.8) | 7 (6.6) | |
| Others | 6 (5.8) | 13 (12.3) | |
| Hepatology consultation | |||
| First time | 45 (43.3) | 56 (52.8) | 0.166 |
| Follow‐up | 59 (57.7) | 50 (48.2) | |
| Mode of communication | |||
| Audio call | 57 (54.8) | 57 (53.8) | 0.88 |
| Hybrid (audio and video) call | 47 (45.2) | 49 (46.2) | |
| Source of information for teleconsultation | |||
| Health care worker | 52 (50) | 56 (52.8) | |
| Relatives/friends | 29 (27.9) | 22 (20.8) | 0.75 |
| Internet | 13 (12.5) | 14 (13.2) | |
| Newspaper | 10 (9.6) | 14 (13.2) | |
| Compliance to treatment | 104 (100) | 69 (65.1) | <0.001 |
| Suitability rate | 94 (90.4) | 92 (86.8) | 0.413 |
| Confidence rate | 91 (87.5) | 85 (80.2) | 0.15 |
| Patient preference if no COVID | |||
| Telemedicine | 34 (32.7) | 22 (20.8) | |
| Physical OPD | 58 (55.8) | 75 (70.8) | 0.076 |
| Both | 12 (11.5) | 9 (8.5) | |
| Patient comfort level | |||
| Very uncomfortable | 0 | 12 (11.3) | |
| Somewhat uncomfortable | 1 (1) | 1 (0.9) | <0.001 |
| Neither | 8 (7.7) | 10 (9.4) | |
| Somewhat comfortable | 17(16.3) | 32(30.2) | |
| Very comfortable | 78 (75) | 51 (48.1) | |
| Acceptability/satisfaction rate | |||
| Very dissatisfied | 0 (0.0) | 13 (12.3) | |
| Somewhat dissatisfied | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.9) | |
| Neither | 7 (6.7) | 10 (9.4) | <0.001 |
| Somewhat satisfied | 21 (20) | 31 (29.2) | |
| Very satisfied | 76 (73.1) | 51 (41.8) | |
| Level of understanding | |||
| Very poor | 0 (0.0) | 8 (7.5) | |
| Somewhat poor | 1 (1.0) | 0 (0.0) | |
| Neither | 8 (7.7) | 16 (15.1) | 0.006 |
| Somewhat good | 18 (17.3) | 23 (21.7) | |
| Very good | 77 (74.0) | 59 (55.7) | |
| Satisfaction rate | 97 (93.3) | 82 (77.4) | 0.002 |
| Diagnosis rate | 98 (94.2) | 99 (93.4) | 0.81 |
| Success rate | 97 (93.3) | 0 (0.0) | <0.001 |
| QOL improvement | |||
| Physical | 104 (100) | 37 (34.9) | <0.001 |
| Mental | 94 (90.4) | 80 (75.5) | 0.004 |
Data are presented as median (IQR), n (%).
*P < 0.05 was regarded as significant.
Abbreviations: ALD, alcohol‐associated liver disease; EHBO, extrahepatic biliary obstruction; NAFLD: nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; NCPH, noncirrhotic portal hypertension.