Next-generation rheumatoid arthritis telemedicine embodied by IoT and AI

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18853
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58010:Medical management and medical sociology-related
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: NONAKA Fumiaki 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(医学系), 助教 (20838271)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 遠隔医療 / 複合現実（Mixed Reality:MR） / 離島・へき地医療 / 関節リウマチ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have developed NURAS (Nagasaki University RA remote medicine system), the first next-generation telemedicine system using Mixed Reality (MR) in Japan. Its purpose is to allow rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients living on remote islands to receive specialized rheumatology care without the need to travel to the mainland. NURAS enables a specialist physician at the university hospital to examine the joint findings of a patient visiting a local hospital or family doctor on a remote island in real-time and with precision through MR technology. The specialist can then provide advice on treatment policies. Additionally, AI has been implemented in NURAS to enhance patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and improve the overall system functionality.

Free Research Field

リウマチ膠原病内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

RA診療では早期診断・早期治療が重要であり、そのためには関節所見の評価が必要であるが、2Dの画像では正確な評価が難しく、リウマチ性疾患の遠隔医療はこれまで普及していなかった。NURASはMR技術を用いることで、専門医が遠隔にいながらにして3Dでリアルタイムかつ精密な関節診察を行うことができ、患者およびかかりつけ医へ、適切な関節評価と治療方針の助言を伝えることが可能とした。NURASを用いることで、精度の高いRA遠隔医療が実現できる可能性が高まった。