A Retrospective Observational Study on Telemedicine in Prescribing Low-Dose Pills for Patients with Dysmenorrhea

Introduction: In Japan, telemedicine has gradually expanded due to deregulation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its current status remains unclear, as it is primarily provided by general practitioners. Meanwhile, telemedicine has begun to be utilized for low-dose estrogen-progestin (L...

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Main Authors: Yumi Inoo, Hiroshi Iida, Norihito Yoshioka, Hideki Koyama, Yusuke Saigusa, Kentaro Kurasawa, Masahiko Inamori
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Mary Ann Liebert 2024-04-01
Series:Telemedicine Reports
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Online Access:https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/tmr.2023.0063
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author Yumi Inoo
Hiroshi Iida
Norihito Yoshioka
Hideki Koyama
Yusuke Saigusa
Kentaro Kurasawa
Masahiko Inamori
author_facet Yumi Inoo
Hiroshi Iida
Norihito Yoshioka
Hideki Koyama
Yusuke Saigusa
Kentaro Kurasawa
Masahiko Inamori
author_sort Yumi Inoo
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: In Japan, telemedicine has gradually expanded due to deregulation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its current status remains unclear, as it is primarily provided by general practitioners. Meanwhile, telemedicine has begun to be utilized for low-dose estrogen-progestin (LEP) prescriptions for dysmenorrhea. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical record data from two gynecology clinics and performed an exploratory evaluation between a group that combined telemedicine and in-person visits during the initial 6 months of LEP treatment, and another group with only in-person visits. Results: After propensity score matching, 89 and 83 patients were eligible for the telemedicine and in-person groups, respectively, with 53 patients in both. The characteristics of both groups were similar after matching. There were no significant differences in the probability of abnormal uterine bleeding during the first 6 months of treatment (25% and 43% in each group; p = 0.064), side effects, or treatment efficacy between the two groups. The withdrawal rate at 6 months was significantly higher in the telemedicine group than in the in-person group (13% and 0%, p = 0.013). The average copayment for patients who covered 30% of the total cost was also significantly higher in the telemedicine group after 1 and 3 months of LEP prescription. Conclusion: The appropriate combination of telemedicine and in-person visits is currently employed in hospital visits, which does not differ significantly from in-person visits. Given the retrospective nature of this study and the limited number of cases, further investigation is necessary in the future.
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spelling doaj-art-3ef9f1c400ca479995d2ad57f6cc99e32025-08-20T01:50:53ZengMary Ann LiebertTelemedicine Reports2692-43662024-04-015121110.1089/tmr.2023.0063A Retrospective Observational Study on Telemedicine in Prescribing Low-Dose Pills for Patients with DysmenorrheaYumi Inoo0Hiroshi Iida1Norihito Yoshioka2Hideki Koyama3Yusuke Saigusa4Kentaro Kurasawa5Masahiko Inamori6Department of Medical Education, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.Department of Medical Education, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.The Medical Corporations of Tsuzuki-kai Tsuzuki Ladies' Clinic, Yokohama, Japan.The Medical Corporations of Ikuju-kai Isogo You Ladies' Clinic, Yokohama, Japan.Department of Biostatistics, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.Department of Medical Education, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.Introduction: In Japan, telemedicine has gradually expanded due to deregulation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its current status remains unclear, as it is primarily provided by general practitioners. Meanwhile, telemedicine has begun to be utilized for low-dose estrogen-progestin (LEP) prescriptions for dysmenorrhea. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical record data from two gynecology clinics and performed an exploratory evaluation between a group that combined telemedicine and in-person visits during the initial 6 months of LEP treatment, and another group with only in-person visits. Results: After propensity score matching, 89 and 83 patients were eligible for the telemedicine and in-person groups, respectively, with 53 patients in both. The characteristics of both groups were similar after matching. There were no significant differences in the probability of abnormal uterine bleeding during the first 6 months of treatment (25% and 43% in each group; p = 0.064), side effects, or treatment efficacy between the two groups. The withdrawal rate at 6 months was significantly higher in the telemedicine group than in the in-person group (13% and 0%, p = 0.013). The average copayment for patients who covered 30% of the total cost was also significantly higher in the telemedicine group after 1 and 3 months of LEP prescription. Conclusion: The appropriate combination of telemedicine and in-person visits is currently employed in hospital visits, which does not differ significantly from in-person visits. Given the retrospective nature of this study and the limited number of cases, further investigation is necessary in the future.https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/tmr.2023.0063telemedicinepatients with dysmenorrhearetrospective studyLEP treatment
spellingShingle Yumi Inoo
Hiroshi Iida
Norihito Yoshioka
Hideki Koyama
Yusuke Saigusa
Kentaro Kurasawa
Masahiko Inamori
A Retrospective Observational Study on Telemedicine in Prescribing Low-Dose Pills for Patients with Dysmenorrhea
Telemedicine Reports
telemedicine
patients with dysmenorrhea
retrospective study
LEP treatment
title A Retrospective Observational Study on Telemedicine in Prescribing Low-Dose Pills for Patients with Dysmenorrhea
title_full A Retrospective Observational Study on Telemedicine in Prescribing Low-Dose Pills for Patients with Dysmenorrhea
title_fullStr A Retrospective Observational Study on Telemedicine in Prescribing Low-Dose Pills for Patients with Dysmenorrhea
title_full_unstemmed A Retrospective Observational Study on Telemedicine in Prescribing Low-Dose Pills for Patients with Dysmenorrhea
title_short A Retrospective Observational Study on Telemedicine in Prescribing Low-Dose Pills for Patients with Dysmenorrhea
title_sort retrospective observational study on telemedicine in prescribing low dose pills for patients with dysmenorrhea
topic telemedicine
patients with dysmenorrhea
retrospective study
LEP treatment
url https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/tmr.2023.0063
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