Remote self-collection of capillary blood using upper arm devices for autoantibody analysis in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Zarbl J, Eimer E, Gigg C, Bendzuck G, Korinth M, Elling-Audersch C, Kleyer A, Simon D, Böltz S, Krusche M, Mucke J, Muehlensiepen F, Vuillerme N, Krönke G, Schett G, Knitza J (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Book Volume: 8

Journal Issue: 2

DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002641

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.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Deutsche Rheuma-Liga Bundesverband e.V. Germany (DE) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. United States (USA) (US) Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg "Theodor Fontane" / Brandenburg Medical School "Theodor Fontane" Germany (DE) University of Grenoble Alpes (UGA) / Université de Grenoble France (FR) Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf Germany (DE) Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Zarbl, J., Eimer, E., Gigg, C., Bendzuck, G., Korinth, M., Elling-Audersch, C.,... Knitza, J. (2022). Remote self-collection of capillary blood using upper arm devices for autoantibody analysis in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases. RMD Open, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002641

MLA:

Zarbl, Joshua, et al. "Remote self-collection of capillary blood using upper arm devices for autoantibody analysis in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases." RMD Open 8.2 (2022).

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