To investigate the impact of "Internet +" -based remote management on the negative emotional states, and quality of life in individuals with reflux esophagitis.

From September 2021 to September 2023, a total of 116 patients diagnosed with reflux esophagitis were enrolled in our study at our hospital. They were randomly assigned into two groups: routine management group (n=58) and remote management group (n=58). In the routine management group, patients followed their doctor’s advice regarding medication and dietary recommendations. On the other hand, patients in the remote management group received remote management services utilizing the "Internet +" approach. All patients were monitored and managed for a continuous period of 3 months. To compare the effectiveness of the two management approaches, we evaluated the general clinical characteristics (age, gender, body mass index, drinking history, smoking history, underlying diseases, duration of disease). Additionally, we assessed changes in negative emotions using the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) before and after management. Quality of life improvements were evaluated using the QOL-BREF scale, while sleep quality changes were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI). Furthermore, compliance behavior was compared between the two groups using the Compliance Medication Behavior Scale (MMAS-8), among them, a score of 8 indicates good patient compliance, a score of 6 to 7 indicates moderate compliance, and a score of less than 6 indicates poor compliance. SAS, SDS, QOL-BREF and PSQI scores were compared by t-test, MMAS-8 scores were compared by Mann-Whitney U test, and the differences in patient compliance between the groups were compared using the χ² test.

After management, the SAS score (48.10±4.35) and SDS score (47.72±4.02) in the remote management group were significantly lower than those in the routine management group [(50.19±4.33), (49.26±4.06); t=2.588, 2.044; P=0.011, 0.043). The physical health score (18.53±2.19), mental health score (18.90±2.64) and total QOL-BREF score (77.12±4.54) in the remote management group were significantly higher than those in the routine management group [(16.10±2.33), (16.36±2.07), (72.40±4.75); t=5.795, 5.757, 5.472; all P<0.001]. The PSQI score in the remote management group (7.03±1.92) was significantly lower than that in the routine management group (8.72±1.50; t=5.288, P<0.001). The MMAS-8 score in the remote management group was higher than that in the routine management group [8 (4, 8) vs 6 (2, 8)], and the proportion of good adherence was higher than that in the routine management group (74.14% vs 51.72%), the differences are statistically significant (Z=2.422, χ²=6.379; P=0.015, 0.041).

The utilization of "Internet +" for remote management has proven to be beneficial to enhances patients suffering from reflux esophagitis mental well-being, sleep patterns, and overall quality of life. When compared to conventional management strategies, the remote management approach offered by "Internet +" exhibits the advantage of ensuring greater patient adherence.