Importance of Asthma Monitoring
Asthma affects about 7.7% of people in the US and 262 million worldwide. Monitoring symptoms can help manage asthma better, but it’s not widely used.
Study Overview
This study looked at how a mobile health app for monitoring asthma symptoms affects health outcomes. It took place from July 2020 to March 2023 in seven clinics linked to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
Who Participated?
Adults aged 18 and older with asthma were recruited over 20 months. They were divided into groups based on their asthma severity.
What Did the Intervention Involve?
Patients in the intervention group used a mobile app to:
- Complete weekly symptom questionnaires
- Track their symptoms, peak flow, and triggers
- Access educational resources
Those with worsening symptoms could request a clinical callback. The usual care group received general asthma guidance.
Main Outcomes Measured
The primary measure was the change in asthma quality of life, assessed using the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (MiniAQLQ). A change of 0.5 points was considered significant. The study also tracked asthma-related healthcare visits.
Results
Out of 413 patients, 366 completed the study. The intervention group saw a MiniAQLQ score increase of 0.34, while the usual care group had an increase of 0.11. Although the difference was statistically significant, it did not meet the threshold for a meaningful change.
Subgroups, particularly younger patients and those with low initial engagement, showed more significant improvements.
Regarding healthcare visits, the intervention group had fewer nonroutine visits compared to the usual care group, but the difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusions
The study suggests that while the mobile app improved asthma-related quality of life, it wasn’t enough to be considered a significant change overall. However, it may benefit certain groups of patients.
Next Steps for Clinics and Patients
Define Measurable Outcomes
Set clear goals for asthma symptom monitoring to improve patient care.
Select AI Tools
Choose AI solutions that meet specific clinical needs for asthma management.
Implement Step by Step
Start with a pilot program, track results, and expand based on findings from this study.
Contact Us for AI Solutions in Medical Management
For more information, reach out via:
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