Remote self-collection of capillary blood using upper arm devices for autoantibody analysis in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Issue 2 (14th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zarbl, Joshua; Eimer, Ekaterina; Gigg, Camilla; Bendzuck, Gerlinde; Korinth, Marianne; Elling-Audersch, Corinna; Kleyer, Arnd; Simon, David; Boeltz, Sebastian; Krusche, Martin; Mucke, Johanna; Muehlensiepen, Felix; Vuillerme, Nicolas; Krönke, Gerhard; Schett, Georg; Knitza, Johannes
• Is Part Of: RMD open. Volume 8:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-14
• Subjects: Autoimmune Diseases -- Health services research -- Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; Musculoskeletal system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.7005
• DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002641
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-5933

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility, accuracy, usability and acceptability of two upper arm self-sampling devices for measurement of autoantibodies and C reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRDs). Methods: 70 consecutive patients with IMRD with previously documented autoantibodies were assigned to supervised and unsupervised self-collection of capillary blood with the Tasso+ or TAP II device. Interchangeability of 17 biomarkers with standard venesection was assessed by: concordance, correlation, paired sample hypothesis testing and Bland-Altman plots. Patients completed an evaluation questionnaire, including the System Usability Scale (SUS) and Net Promoter Score (NPS). Results: While 80.0% and 77.0% were able to safely and successfully collect capillary blood using the Tasso+ and TAP II within the first attempt, 69 of 70 (98.6%) patients were successful in collecting capillary blood within two attempts. Concordance between venous and capillary samples was high; 94.7% and 99.5% for positive and negative samples, respectively. For connective tissue disease screen, anti-Ro52 and anti-proteinase 3 autoantibody levels, no significant differences were observed. Self-sampling was less painful than standard venesection for the majority of patients (Tasso+: 71%; TAP II: 63%). Both devices were well accepted (NPS; both: +28%), usability was perceived as excellent (SUS; Tasso+: 88.6 of 100; TAP II: 86.0 of 100) and 48.6 %/62.9% of patients would prefer to use the Tasso+/TAP II, respectively, instead of a traditional venous blood collection. Conclusions: Remote self-collection of capillary blood using upper arm-based devices for autoantibody and CRP analysis in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases is feasible, accurate and well accepted among patients. Trial registration number: WHO International Clinical Trials Registry (DRKS00024925).