Abstract
Introduction: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may benefit from digital health interventions that encourage disease management.
Aim: To assess changes in clinical status in COPD patients following enrollment in a digital health intervention.
Methods: From 2017-20, patients with self-reported COPD (≥40 years) were enrolled into a digital health intervention of electronic medication monitors (EMM) that objectively tracked inhaler actuations and a mobile application (app). At enrollment and monthly thereafter, the app prompted patients to assess their clinical status with the CAT, an 8-question survey of the symptomatic impact of COPD (0-40). Patients with a CAT at enrollment and 6 months were included. COPD impact was dichotomized as lower (CAT <21) or higher (CAT ≥21) impact. Changes in EMM-collected reliever use and CAT were estimated over 6 months using linear mixed effects models.
Results: At first month (n=1,000, mean age: 63 years), mean reliever use was 2.5 puffs/day and was greater in patients with higher (64%) vs. lower (36%) impact (2.9 vs. 1.9; P<0.001). Reliever use and average CAT declined by 0.8 puffs/day (95% CI: -0.9, -0.7; P<0.001) and 1.1 points (-1.4, -0.8; P<0.001) at 6 months, respectively. 46% of patients’ CAT decreased by 2, the minimally important difference, with 14% transitioning from higher to lower COPD impact. In patients with higher COPD impact, reliever use and CAT decreased more by 1.0 (-1.1, -0.8; P<0.001) puffs/day and 2.2 (-2.5, -1.8; P<0.001) at 6 months, respectively.
Conclusions: This study observed improved CAT and reduced reliever use following a digital health intervention over 6 months, with larger improvements in those with higher COPD impact.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 2444.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020