What You Should Know:
– New study out from Propeller and Chicago’s NorthShore University HealthSystem shows that asthma patients maintain higher medication adherence and decrease their rescue inhaler use when using a digital health platform.
– The study looked at 100 patients recruited from NorthShore practices, half of whom used Propeller to manage their condition and half of whom did not.
– The treatment group maintained their high medication adherence at 68%, while the control group experienced a 17% decline in adherence over the course of the study. The treatment group also increased days without needing their rescue inhaler by 19%, 13% more than in the control group.
Patients using Propeller Health’s digital health platform to manage their asthma experienced a significant decline in rescue inhaler use and higher medication adherence rates compared to patients not using the platform, according to a new randomized controlled trial published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice by researchers from Propeller and NorthShore University HealthSystem. The study reveals maintained their high medication adherence at 68%, while the control group experienced a 17% decline in adherence over the course of the study
Poor adherence to asthma medication and overuse of rescue inhalers have both been associated with increased asthma morbidity in previous research. Studies reveal that patients often overestimate their level of adherence to their clinician, leading to costly treatments that may not be appropriate or necessary to curb symptoms.
Randomized Clinical Trial Details
The published study features a randomized controlled trial that enrolled 100 patients with uncontrolled asthma, 25 to 65 years of age. Patients were recruited between April 2018 and 2019 from allergist and pulmonologist practices at NorthShore University HealthSystem in Chicago. Treatment and control group participants were both attached a small sensor to their controller and rescue inhalers. The treatment group received insights on their medication use in the Propeller app, including reminders to take missed or late doses and reports on their usage and possible triggers.
Utilizing Propeller’s digital health platform, clinicians had had access to the treatment patients’ controller and rescue medication data. If patient utilization indicated poor adherence or worsening control, patients were contacted to address adherence and review asthma control status. The control group’s medication use was remotely monitored, but they did not receive insights in the app or outreach from providers.
Clinical Trial Outcomes/Results
The study’s treatment group maintained its high medication adherence at 68%, while the control group experienced a 17% decline in adherence over the course of the study. In addition, Propeller users’ days without needing their rescue inhaler increased 19% in the treatment group, 13% more than in the control group.
“Increasing adherence and reducing rescue use are critical to improving the health and well-being of asthma patients,” said Giselle Monsaim, MD, lead author of the study and attending physician in the Departments of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Immunology at NorthShore University HealthSystem. “We’re pleased to add to the body of research that shows digital health can play an important role in maintaining high adherence rates and increasing days without symptoms for people with asthma.”
