RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A digital therapy for proactively managing exacerbations and delivering therapeutic benefit to patients with moderate to severe asthma
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP PA2724
DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2019.PA2724
VO 54
IS suppl 63
A1 Swaminathan, Sumanth
A1 Gerber, Anthony
A1 Qirko, Klajdi
A1 Wysham, Nicholas
A1 Corcoran, Ethan
A1 Smith, Ted
YR 2019
UL https://publications.ersnet.org//content/54/suppl_63/PA2724.abstract
AB Background: Over 30% of patients with asthma have suboptimal control and frequently experience acute/sub-acute exacerbations. Improved patient-centered tools are needed to facilitate early identification and management of these events. To address this gap, we developed an on-demand asthma triage application which uses machine learning algorithms to enable real-time triage advice delivered directly to the patient.Objectives: Study aims were to test algorithm accuracy in simulated patient cases and assess therapeutic benefit to real-life asthmatics in an observational trial.Methods: The application was trained on opinions of six pulmonologists triaging over 1900 simulated cases covering the clinically relevant health variable space. The algorithm outputs 1) presence of exacerbation and 2) a triage recommendation from 4 choices (no action, continue usual treatment, call MD, and go to ER). Initial validation of the algorithm’s accuracy was through comparison to consensus (mode) of 8 pulmonologists. The algorithm was subsequently embedded in a mobile phone, and an observational trial on asthma control, anxiety, quality of life, and user experience was conducted.Results and Conclusion: Using physician consensus as a standard, the algorithm correctly assigned the exacerbation and triage classes with accuracy of 96% and 84% respectively, better than all 8 MDs. The algorithm also demonstrated superior accuracy and sensitivity in asthma scenarios requiring emergency care. Clinical trial data indicates statistically significant improvements in asthma control, quality of life and anxiety. Further clinical testing is needed to confirm these promising initial findings.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA2724.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).