Impact of home telemonitoring and management support on blood pressure control in non-dialysis CKD: a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is a common public health problem and a key modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Home blood pressure (BP) telemonitoring (HBPT) and management is associated with improved BP control, accelerated delivery of care and decision-making strategies that can reduce adverse outcomes associated with hypertension. The aim of this paper is to describe the protocol for a systematic review to assess the impact of HBPT interventions used for improving BP control and reducing CV and kidney outcomes in non-dialysis CKD patients. METHODS: We developed this protocol using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses for Protocols 2015. We will search empirical databases such as MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO and grey literature for studies conducted in non-dialysis CKD patients on interventions using HBPT and reporting outcomes related to BP control and other outcomes such as CV events and kidney disease progression. All studies meeting these criteria, in adults and published from inception until 2020 with no language barrier will be included. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval will not be required for this review as the data used will be extracted from already published studies with publicly accessible data. As this study will assess the impact of HBPT on BP control in non-dialysis CKD patients, evidence gathered through it will be disseminated using traditional approaches that includes open-access peer-reviewed publication, scientific presentations and a report. We will also disseminate our findings to appropriate government agencies. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020190705).