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CompletedNCT04257344Updated Sep 21, 2021

Use of Wearables for Early Detection of Complications After Major Acute Abdominal Surgery

An observational study in Surgery--Complications and Abdomen Disease, sponsored by Zealand University Hospital. Completed at 1 site in Denmark. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-09-21.

Sponsored by Zealand University Hospital · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
40
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of the study is to investigate whether glucose profile, sleep disturbances and heart rate variability measured with wearable devices is associated with postoperative recovery and complications within 30 days after major emergency abdominal surgery.

The study is designed as an explorative, prospective cohort study. 40 patients undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery at Zealand's University Hospital Køge are included in the study, and inclusion occurs within 24 hours of end of surgery. Patients will be followed for 30 days, and three scheduled study visits are planned during follow up at postoperative day 10, 20 and 30.

Glucose is measured continuously with a wearable subcutaneous sensor (Dexcom G6). Glucose readings are validated in the perioperative setting using blood glucose measurements obtained with standard finger-pricks 3-5 times a day during hospitalization.

Actigraphy is used for assessing sleep- and activity patterns for the full study period.

Heart rate variation is measured with a compact Holter monitor. Furthermore, the study assesses patient-reported quality of recovery, glucose metabolism, nutritional status and mobility. Various data on demographics, peri- and postoperative data will be extracted from the electronic patient chart.

Read the detailed description

Purpose:

The purpose of the study is to investigate the glucose-profile, HRV and sleep disturbances for 30 days after major emergency abdominal surgery using continues measurements with wearable devices. Secondly, the study investigates the association between glucose profile, HRV, sleep-disturbances, patient reported recovery and postoperative complications.

Design and study population:

The study is designed as a prospective, explorative cohort study applying repeated measures. Patients undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery at Zealand's University Hospital Køge are included. Included patients receive a standardized treatment regimen (Optimizing Major EmerGency Abdominal surgery, OMEGA), which has been established in the surgical department in order to reduce unnecessary waiting time and optimize and standardize treatment before, during and after major emergency abdominal surgery. The treatment regimen includes pre-operative antibiotics, I.V. fluid, pain and nausea treatment, nasogastric tube and prioritized, fast access to CT-scans and final surgical treatment.

Sample Size:

To the extent of our knowledge, no prior studies have simultaneously investigated sleep disturbances, heart rate variability and glucose profile using continues measurements with wearables before and up to 30 days after major emergency abdominal surgery. A traditional power calculation would be based on arbitrary data and is therefore omitted. Hence, the present study is designed as an exploratory study with no primary endpoint and functions as a pilot study prior to future larger, focused cohort studies. It is estimated, that inclusion of 40 patients in the present study is feasible and provides sufficient statistical power to show significant changes and association between glucose profile, HRV, sleep patterns and patient reported outcome measures.

Course of the study and assessment tools:

Eligible patients will be contacted by study investigators within 12-24 hours after surgery when the patient has been re-transferred to the surgical ward. Included patients will be followed for 30 days, and three scheduled study visits are planned during follow up at postoperative day 10, 20 and 30.

Glucose is measured continuously from the interstitial fluid of the subcutaneous tissue with a wearable subcutaneous sensor (Dexcom G6). Continues Glucose measurement (CGM) is normally used by diabetic patients in an outpatient setting. Therefore, the CGM readings are validated in the perioperative setting using capillary blood glucose measurements obtained with standard finger-pricks 3-5 times a day during hospitalization. The CGM-monitor is mounted on the patient from inclusion until 30 days after surgery. Metrics of within-day glycemic variability include the standard deviation (SD), the 'mean amplitude of glucose excursions' (MAGE) and the 'derived coefficient of variation' (%CV). Stable glucose levels are defined as a %CV \<36% according to the international consensus on use of continues glucose monitoring. Metrics of between-day glucose variability include 'Mean of daily differences' (MODD), which is the absolute difference between two glucose values measured at the same time with a 24 h interval. Furthermore, the daily 'mean glucose level' and 'time in ranges' (TIRs) will be reported.

Actigraphy is used for measuring sleep- and activity patterns for the full study period. The device consists of three linear accelerometer with an integrated minicomputer that allows the direct measure of accelerations in all directions. In this study we will use the 'Zero-crossing method', where every acceleration (>0,1g) during each epoch length are measured. The epoch length in this study is predefined to 60 seconds. Metrics of sleep disturbances include 'Time in Bed' (TIB), 'Total Sleep Time' (TST), ' Sleep Efficiency' (SE), 'Wake Time' (WT) and 'Wake after Sleep Onset' (WASO), Sleep Latency (SL) and number of awakenings longer than five minutes" (NOA).

A battery powered, rechargeable heart rate monitor (C3 Holter monitor, Cortrium, Denmark) will be used for monitoring HRV. The device is a triangular monitor (7x7x7cm) and consist of three integrated electrodes allowing for measuring long term ECG. Data is stored on internal memory on the device and can be transferred to appropriate desktop software (Kubios Premium). Heart rate will be monitored from inclusion until 7 days after discharge or until postoperative day 14, whatever comes first. Time-domain analysis of HRV will be applied as recommended in the guidelines from the European Society of Cardiology and The North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology.

The widely used questionnaire quality of recovery-15 (QoR/15) quantifies patient reported quality of recovery with 15 Danish translated and validated questions. The questionnaire is completed in 2-3 minutes and results in a score up to 150 points with a high score indicating high self-reported postoperative recovery. The participants fills out QoR-15 every day during hospitalization and once at each scheduled study visit.

Estimation of pancreatic beta-cell functions and peripheral insulin resistance will be assessed with paired C-peptide and plasma glucose samples obtained at inclusion, discharge and 30-day follow up. In addition, changes in p-carbamide, hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1C, C-reactive protein and white blood cell count are measured during the study period.

A designated dietician assesses the patient's daily nutritional energy intake during hospitalization. In addition, the patient's nutritional consumption after discharge is estimated with the "24 hour recall method" at each follow up visit and the questionnaire "Food Frequency questionnaire" (FFQ), at 30 day follow up. In the FFQ-questionnaire, the patient reports the frequency of the consumption of 104 different common food and drink products during the last 30 days.

To assess changes in the patient's mobility the "Timed Up-and-go"-test will be used. Furthermore, 7 basic abilities during hospitalization (e.g. showering or dressing) are assessed on a scale from 0-2 with the questionnaire "Mobility during Hospitalization". After discharge, the questionnaire "Activity of Daily Living (ADL)" is used for assessing whether the patient is able to perform everyday activities (e.g. cooking, grossery shopping) on a 1-5 scale. In addition, handgrip strength, weight and bio impendence is measured at inclusion, at discharge and at each follow up visit.

Data on demographics, peri- and postoperative data will be extracted from the electronic patient chart. Postoperative complications will be classified according to the Clavien-Dindo classification.

To investigate the subjective experience of being discharged with three wearable monitors, a designated anthropologist conducts a semi-structured interview in a subgroup of 6-8 patients.

Statistics:

For baseline characteristics, descriptive statistics will be applied including reports of mean, standard deviation (SD), median and interquartile range (IQR) when appropriate. For comparison, chi\^2 test and t-test will be applied. When data is not normally distributed, log-transformation will be used when possible. Further statistical methods include correlation analysis and logistic regression modelling with adjustment of relevant confounders. A two-tailed p-value of 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Designated statistical software will be used (e.g. R version 3.6.1, https://www.r-project.org/). A trained statistician will be consulted when analyzing data.

02

Conditions studied

  • Surgery--Complications
  • Abdomen Disease

Keywords

  • Wearables
  • Emergency surgery
  • Abdominal surgery
  • Patient reported outcome measures
  • Recovery
  • Continues Glucose Monitoring
  • Heart Rate Variation
  • Actigraphy
  • Sleep
  • Quality of Recovery
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Zealand University Hospital is the lead sponsor of 234 studies on the registry; 51 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

the study population consists of all patients admitted at Zealands University Hospital Køge, who undergo major emergency abdominal surgery.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery including laparotomy or laporoscopy. Indications include ileus, perforated hollow organ, intraabdominal bleeding, ischemia, wound dehiscence.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Laparoscopic surgeries for diseases related to appendix, gall bladder or bile ducts are excluded, unless the procedure is converted to open surgery perioperative.
  • not understanding or speeking danish
  • cognitive dysfunction
  • chronic immobilization
  • pregnancy
  • diabetes (type I and II)
  • Permanent atrial fibrillation or pacemaker
05

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
40 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No
06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Quality of Recovery-15 score

    The score is based on 15 questions with a maximum total score of 150 indicating excellent patient-reported recovery

    Time frame: 30 days

  2. Heart rate variation

    Heart rate variation measured with wearable devices. Time domain measures are used.

    Time frame: 7 days post discharge or maximum 14 days after surgery

  3. Total Sleep Time

    Total time of sleep during 24 hours, assessed with actigraphy

    Time frame: 30 days

  4. Sleep Efficiency

    The ratio of the total sleep time compared to the total time spent in bed during 24 hours

    Time frame: 30 days

  5. Mean amplitude of glucose excursions (MAGE)

    Measure of within-day glycemic variability assessed with continues glucose monitoring

    Time frame: 30 days

Secondary outcomes

  1. Time in bed

    total time in bed during 24 hours, assessed with actigraphy

    Time frame: 30 days

  2. Wake Time

    Time awake during 24 hours assessed with acitgraphy

    Time frame: 30 days

  3. Wake after Sleep Onset (WASO)

    Total time awake after sleep onset assessed with actigraphy

    Time frame: 30 days

  4. Number of awakenings

    Number of awakenings longer than five minutes assessed with actigraphy

    Time frame: 30 days

  5. Time in range

    The total time during 24 hours where the patient is normoglycemic, assessed with continues glucose monitoring

    Time frame: 30 days

  6. Mean glucose level

    The mean glucose level during 24 hours assessed with continues glucose monitoring

    Time frame: 30 days

  7. Derived coefficient of glucose variation (%CV)

    Measure of within-day glycemic variability

    Time frame: 30 days

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Surgical department, Zealand University Hospital
    Køge, 4600, Denmark
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Monnier L, Colette C, Owens DR. The application of simple metrics in the assessment of glycaemic variability. Diabetes Metab. 2018 Sep;44(4):313-319. doi: 10.1016/j.diabet.2018.02.008. Epub 2018 Mar 6. PubMed 29602622 ↗
  • Danne T, Nimri R, Battelino T, Bergenstal RM, Close KL, DeVries JH, Garg S, Heinemann L, Hirsch I, Amiel SA, Beck R, Bosi E, Buckingham B, Cobelli C, Dassau E, Doyle FJ 3rd, Heller S, Hovorka R, Jia W, Jones T, Kordonouri O, Kovatchev B, Kowalski A, Laffel L, Maahs D, Murphy HR, Norgaard K, Parkin CG, Renard E, Saboo B, Scharf M, Tamborlane WV, Weinzimer SA, Phillip M. International Consensus on Use of Continuous Glucose Monitoring. Diabetes Care. 2017 Dec;40(12):1631-1640. doi: 10.2337/dc17-1600. PubMed 29162583 ↗
  • Berger AM, Wielgus KK, Young-McCaughan S, Fischer P, Farr L, Lee KA. Methodological challenges when using actigraphy in research. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2008 Aug;36(2):191-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2007.10.008. Epub 2008 Apr 8. PubMed 18400460 ↗
  • Heart rate variability. Standards of measurement, physiological interpretation, and clinical use. Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. Eur Heart J. 1996 Mar;17(3):354-81. No abstract available. PubMed 8737210 ↗
  • Gornall BF, Myles PS, Smith CL, Burke JA, Leslie K, Pereira MJ, Bost JE, Kluivers KB, Nilsson UG, Tanaka Y, Forbes A. Measurement of quality of recovery using the QoR-40: a quantitative systematic review. Br J Anaesth. 2013 Aug;111(2):161-9. doi: 10.1093/bja/aet014. Epub 2013 Mar 6. PubMed 23471753 ↗
  • Wallace TM, Levy JC, Matthews DR. Use and abuse of HOMA modeling. Diabetes Care. 2004 Jun;27(6):1487-95. doi: 10.2337/diacare.27.6.1487. PubMed 15161807 ↗
  • Beer-Borst S, Amado R. Validation of a self-administered 24-hour recall questionnaire used in a large-scale dietary survey. Z Ernahrungswiss. 1995 Sep;34(3):183-9. doi: 10.1007/BF01623156. PubMed 7502539 ↗
  • Podsiadlo D, Richardson S. The timed "Up & Go": a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1991 Feb;39(2):142-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1991.tb01616.x. PubMed 1991946 ↗
09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 21, 2021, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04257344
Lead sponsor
Zealand University Hospital
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Feb 6, 2020
Start date
Oct 1, 2019
Primary completion
Jan 22, 2021
Completion
Feb 20, 2021
Last update
Sep 21, 2021

Study contacts

Johan Johan, MD
principal investigator · Surgical department, Zealands University Hospital

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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