Electronic monitoring with a digital smart spacer to support personalized inhaler use education in patients with asthma: The randomized controlled OUTERSPACE trial

Reshaping respiratory care: potential advances in inhaled pharmacotherapy in asthma

INTRODUCTION

Asthma is a common disease with a global burden of 358 million patients. Despite improvements in pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, many patients still do not achieve complete asthma control. Therefore, innovative pharmacotherapy is important.

AREAS COVERED

Following a semi-structured search in Pubmed, an overview of advances in inhaled asthma therapy is provided, looking at innovations in digital inhalers, eco-friendly inhalers and novel inhaled biologic therapies, antibiotics and vaccines, as well as other potential novel asthma therapy targets.

EXPERT OPINION

Digital inhalers, sending reminders and monitoring inhalation technique electronically, can support medication adherence and improve asthma control. To reduce the global warming potential of traditional aerosols used in pressurized metered-dose inhalers (HFA-134a, HFA-227ea), greener alternatives are under development (HFA-152a, HFO-1234ze) that are expected to be available by 2025. Current pharmacological advances in asthma therapy are mainly achieved by novel biologicals (anti-IgE, anti-IL5, anti-IL4/13, and anti-TSLP) targeting specific severe asthma phenotypes. While injection is the usual administration route for biologics and vaccines used in asthma, inhalation is an option being explored, although several (mainly formulation) challenges need to be overcome. Other potential novel future inhaled asthma therapies include anti-IL-33/ST2 biologicals and JAK inhibitors, all still requiring more clinical evidence.

Use of Technology to Improve Adherence in Allergy/Immunology

The integration of technology into health care has shown significant promise in enhancing patient adherence, particularly in the field of allergy/immunology. This article explores the multifaceted approaches through which digital health interventions can be used to improve adherence rates among patients with allergic diseases and immunologic disorders. By reviewing recent advancements in telemedicine, mobile health applications, wearable devices, and digital reminders, as well as smart inhalers, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of how these technologies can support patients in managing their conditions. The analysis highlights the role of personalized digital health plans, which, through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, can offer tailored advice, monitor symptoms, and adjust treatment protocols in real time. Moreover, the article discusses the impact of electronic health records and patient portals in fostering a collaborative patient-provider relationship, thereby enhancing communication and adherence. The integration of these technologies has been shown to not only improve clinical outcomes but also increase patient satisfaction and engagement.

Current technological advancement in asthma care

INTRODUCTION

Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease affecting 262 million people globally, causing half a million deaths each year. Poor asthma outcomes are frequently due to non-adherence to medication, poor engagement with asthma services, and a lack of objective diagnostic tests. In recent years, technologies have been developed to improve diagnosis, monitoring, and care.

AREAS COVERED

Technology has impacted asthma care with the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and provide personalized management. We focus on current evidence on home diagnostics and monitoring, remote asthma reviews, and digital smart inhalers. PubMed, Ovid/Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched in November 2023 with no limit by year of publication.

EXPERT OPINION

Advanced diagnostic technologies have enabled early asthma detection and personalized treatment plans. Mobile applications and digital therapeutics empower patients to manage their condition and improve adherence to treatments. Telemedicine platforms and remote monitoring devices have the potential to streamline asthma care. AI algorithms can analyze patient data and predict exacerbations in proof-of-concept studies. Technology can potentially provide precision medicine to a wider patient group in the future, but further development is essential for implementation into routine care which in itself will be a major challenge.

DIGIPREDICT: physiological, behavioural and environmental predictors of asthma attacks-a prospective observational study using digital markers and artificial intelligence-study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Asthma attacks are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality but are preventable in most if detected and treated promptly. However, the changes that occur physiologically and behaviourally in the days and weeks preceding an attack are not always recognised, highlighting a potential role for technology. The aim of this study 'DIGIPREDICT' is to identify early digital markers of asthma attacks using sensors embedded in smart devices including watches and inhalers, and leverage health and environmental datasets and artificial intelligence, to develop a risk prediction model to provide an early, personalised warning of asthma attacks.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A prospective sample of 300 people, 12 years or older, with a history of a moderate or severe asthma attack in the last 12 months will be recruited in New Zealand. Each participant will be given a smart watch (to assess physiological measures such as heart and respiratory rate), peak flow meter, smart inhaler (to assess adherence and inhalation) and a cough monitoring application to use regularly over 6 months with fortnightly questionnaires on asthma control and well-being. Data on sociodemographics, asthma control, lung function, dietary intake, medical history and technology acceptance will be collected at baseline and at 6 months. Asthma attacks will be measured by self-report and confirmed with clinical records. The collected data, along with environmental data on weather and air quality, will be analysed using machine learning to develop a risk prediction model for asthma attacks.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval has been obtained from the New Zealand Health and Disability Ethics Committee (2023 FULL 13541). Enrolment began in August 2023. Results will be presented at local, national and international meetings, including dissemination via community groups, and submission for publication to peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12623000764639; Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry.

ERS International Congress 2023: highlights from the Respiratory Clinical Care and Physiology Assembly

It is a challenge to keep abreast of all the clinical and scientific advances in the field of respiratory medicine. This article contains an overview of laboratory-based science, clinical trials and qualitative research that were presented during the 2023 European Respiratory Society International Congress within the sessions from the five groups of Assembly 1 (Respiratory Clinical Care and Physiology). Selected presentations are summarised from a wide range of topics: clinical problems, rehabilitation and chronic care, general practice and primary care, electronic/mobile health (e-health/m-health), clinical respiratory physiology, exercise and functional imaging.

Cost-Effectiveness and Impact on Health Care Utilization of Interventions to Improve Medication Adherence and Outcomes in Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Poor adherence to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease maintenance therapies impairs health outcomes. Proven and cost-effective programs to promote adherence and persistence are not yet in regular widespread use. Implementation costs are a potential barrier to uptake of such programs.

OBJECTIVE

We undertook a systematic literature review and narrative synthesis of studies investigating the cost-effectiveness of treatment adherence-promoting programs or that determined their impact on health care budget directly or via health care resource use (HCRU).

METHODS

We identified relevant publications using Medline and PreMEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (Embase.com, Elsevier), and EconLit for publications between January 2000 and July 2021. We also searched clinical trial databases and selected conference proceedings.

RESULTS

Of 1,910 potentially relevant articles, 26 met prespecified inclusion criteria and underwent data extraction. Eleven reported a direct assessment of adherence, 15 included economic evaluations, and 17 described HCRU. None included an analysis of biologic medication use. When they were studied, interventions were often found to be highly cost-effective, with dominant incremental cost-effectiveness ratios in some cases. Reductions in direct costs and HCRU (health care visits, hospital admissions, and/or the use of medications, including add-on/reliever treatment and antibiotics) were frequently reported. Reported use of maintenance treatments improved in some studies. Counseling and/or digitally informed programs were used in all cases in which favorable outcomes were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence-promoting interventions are mostly cost-effective and often result in reduced HCRU and associated costs. Multidisciplinary care involving one-to-one advice and digitally enhanced communications appear to offer the greatest benefit.

Filling the gaps in the evaluation and selection of mobile health technologies in respiratory medicine

INTRODUCTION

Mobile health (mHealth) technology in respiratory medicine is a fast-growing and promising digital technology that is popular among patients and healthcare providers (HCPs). They provide reminders and step-by-step instructions for the correct inhalation technique, monitor patients' adherence to treatment, and facilitate communication between patients and HCPs.

AREAS COVERED

While numerous mHealth apps have been developed over the years, most applications do not have supporting evidence. Selecting the best mHealth app in respiratory medicine is challenging due to limited studies carrying out mHealth app selection. Although mHealth technologies play an important part in the future of respiratory medicine, there is no single guide on the evaluation and selection of mHealth technologies for patients with pulmonary diseases. This paper aims to provide an overview of mHealth technologies, particularly emphasizing digital inhalers and standalone applications used in asthma. Additionally, it offers insights into the evaluation, selection, and pertinent considerations surrounding mHealth applications in respiratory medicine.

EXPERT OPINION

Evaluating mHealth apps will take time, resources, and collaboration between stakeholders such as governmental regulatory bodies, subject-matter experts, and industry representatives. Filling the gaps in the evaluation and selection of the mHealth app will improve clinical decision-making, personalized treatments, self-management and disease monitoring in respiratory medicine.

Effectiveness of a Maintenance and Reliever Digihaler System in Asthma: 24-Week Randomized Study (CONNECT2)

BACKGROUND

Digital health tools have been shown to help address challenges in asthma control, including inhaler technique, treatment adherence, and short-acting β2-agonist overuse. The maintenance and reliever Digihaler System (DS) comprises 2 Digihaler inhalers (fluticasone propionate/salmeterol and albuterol) with an associated patient App and web-based Dashboard. Clinicians can review patients' inhaler use and Digihaler inhalation parameter data to support clinical decision-making.

OBJECTIVE

CONNECT2 evaluated asthma control in participants using the DS versus standard-of-care (SoC) maintenance and reliever inhalers.

METHODS

Participants (13 years or older) with uncontrolled asthma (Asthma Control Test [ACT] score <19) were randomized 4:3 (open-label) to the DS (n = 210) or SoC (n = 181) for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving well-controlled asthma (ie, an ACT score ≥20 or increase from baseline of ≥3 units at week 24).

RESULTS

There was an 88.7% probability that participants using the DS would have greater odds of achieving improvement in asthma control compared with SoC after 24 weeks. The mean odds ratio (95% credible interval) for DS versus SoC was 1.35 (0.846-2.038), indicating a 35% higher odds of improved asthma control with the DS. The DS group had more clinician-participant interactions versus SoC, mainly addressing a poor inhaler technique. DS participants' maintenance treatment adherence was good (month 1: 79.2%; month 6: 68.6%); reliever use decreased by 38.2% versus baseline. App and Dashboard usability was rated "good."

CONCLUSION

The positive results in asthma control in this study after 24 weeks demonstrate the effectiveness of the DS in asthma management.

A systematic review of methods of scoring inhaler technique

Many inhaler devices are currently used in clinical practice to deliver medication, with each inhaler device offering different benefits to overcome technique issues. Inhaler technique remains poor, contributing to reduced airway drug deposition and consequently poor disease control. Scoring inhaler technique has been used within research as an outcome measure of inhaler technique assessment, and this systematic review collates and evaluates these scoring methods. The review protocol was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020218869). A total of 172 articles were screened with 77 included, and the results presented using narrative synthesis due to the heterogeneity of the study design and data. The most frequently used scoring method awarded one point per step in the inhaler technique checklist and was included in 59/77 (77%) of articles; however limited and varied guidance was provided for score interpretation. Other inhaler technique scoring methods included grading the final inhaler technique score, expressing the total score as a percentage/ratio, deducting points from the final score when errors were made, and weighting steps within the checklist depending on how crucial the step was. Vast heterogeneity in the number of steps and content in the inhaler technique checklists was observed across all device types (range 5-19 steps). Only 4/77 (5%) of the inhaler technique measures had undertaken fundamental steps required in the scale development process for use in real world practice. This review demonstrates the demand for a tool that measures inhaler technique and highlights the current unmet need for one that has undergone validation.