The Impact of Patient Self-Monitoring Via Electronic Medication Monitor and Mobile App Plus Remote Clinician Feedback on Adherence to Inhaled Corticosteroids: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Poor adherence to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)-containing inhalers and overuse of short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) are risk factors for uncontrolled asthma. Patient self-report can overestimate ICS adherence and lead to potentially inappropriate and expensive treatments. In a recent publication in the The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice entitled ‘The Impact of Patient Self-Monitoring Via Electronic Medication Monitor and Mobile App Plus Remote Clinician Feedback on Adherence to Inhaled Corticosteroids: A Randomized Controlled Trial,’ the authors investigated whether patient self-monitoring via a smartphone application plus remote clinician feedback would affect ICS adherence and SABA use. All participants attached a small electronic medication monitor (EMM) to the inhalers. Propeller Health’s smartphone app collected and shared data with study staff and the treatment group. The treatment group also received reminders for missed or late doses and feedback from study staff about poor adherence or worsening asthma control. Compared to the control group, the treatment group maintained high ICS adherence, had less SABA use, and had improved asthma control.
Patient self-monitoring by means of a digital platform in addition to remote clinician feedback can help maintain ICS adherence while decreasing SABA use leading to better controlled asthma.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice is an official journal of the AAAAI, focusing on practical information for the practicing clinician.
Published online: November 16, 2020
Mosnaim GS, Stempel DA, Gonzalez C, Adams B, BenIsrael-Olive N, Gondalia R, Kaye L, Shalowitz M, Szefler S. The Impact of Patient Self-Monitoring Via Electronic Medication Monitor and Mobile App Plus Remote Clinician Feedback on Adherence to Inhaled Corticosteroids: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2021;9:1586-94.