Impact of a digital therapeutic on adult asthma

BACKGROUND: Asthma impacts 334 million people globally. Medication adherence is estimated at 50% worldwide. Digital therapeutics (DTx) may improve medication adherence and health outcomes. METHODS: Prospective, single cohort observational study of 104 adults with asthma managed on inhaled corticosteroids. Subjects had 90-day access to Aptar Digital Health respiratory platform: HeroTracker to monitor adherence, spirometer for lung function, and BreatheSmart mobile app with real-time alerts. Primary outcomes: asthma control, rescue medication use. Secondary outcomes: controller medication adherence, patient feedback. RESULTS: Subjects completed Asthma Control Test (ACT) at baseline (T0); 96% (N = 100) completed ACT at 90 days (T1). Between T0 and T1, ACT scores increased significantly (baseline: 16.5 ± 4.7; ΔT0 to T1: + 2.8, 95% CI (2.0, 3.6), p-value <0.001); rescue medication use decreased 44% ((95% CI: 14.1, 63.5), p-value = 0.008); adherence to controller medication decreased 10.7% ((95% CI: 6.4, 15.1), p-value <0.001). 82.5% of subjects reported platform very/somewhat easy to use, 97.5% rated spirometer very/somewhat easy to use, 92.5% reported alerts very/somewhat helpful. Platform rating mean score = 7.825/10 (1-10; 10=high). CONCLUSIONS: DTx may improve asthma control and decrease rescue medication use. T1 medication adherence was 17% higher than global medication adherence. Patient feedback was positive. REFERENCES: 1. Enilari, O., Sinha, S. (2019). The global impact of asthma in adult populations. Ann Glob Health, 85(1), 2, 1-7. 2. Kim, J., et al. (2018). Medication adherence: the elephant in the room. US Pharm, 43, 1, 30-34. KEY MESSAGES: • DTx promoted improvement in ACT scores and decreased rescue medication use. • DTx platform feedback was positive.