RMD Open (Sep 2022)

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

  • Georg Schett,
  • Johannes Knitza,
  • Martin Krusche,
  • Johanna Mucke,
  • Arnd Kleyer,
  • Nicolas Vuillerme,
  • Felix Muehlensiepen,
  • Gerlinde Bendzuck,
  • Gerhard Krönke,
  • Sebastian Boeltz,
  • David Simon,
  • Joshua Zarbl,
  • Ekaterina Eimer,
  • Camilla Gigg,
  • Marianne Korinth,
  • Corinna Elling-Audersch

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1136/rmdopen-2022-002641
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 2

Abstract

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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).