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Improving Asthma Outcomes in the Digital Era: A Systematic Review

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Abstract

Background

Lack of adherence remains a major cause of poor asthma outcomes. Technology-based interventions to promote adherence to asthma controller medications are emerging.

Objective

This systematic review aimed to evaluate digital interventions to improve adherence to asthma controller medications and clinical outcomes.

Methods

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this review identified studies using medication electronic monitoring devices (EMDs), mobile applications including smartphone applications (SPAs) or MP3 players, web-based portals, and multimodal interventions to improve asthma outcomes.

Results

Of the 25 interventions identified, 23 resulted in a positive outcome within the limits of the study. Two of the three EMDs, zero of the five mobile applications, zero of the 11 web portals, and three of the seven multimodal interventions showed objectively measured improvement in controller medication adherence.

Conclusions

Studies featuring EMD technology alone or as part of a multimodal intervention demonstrate promise in improving controller medication adherence. SPA technology both alone and in combination with other digital interventions demonstrates improvements in asthma control and quality of life. Future studies are needed to isolate the most efficacious component(s) of these interventions.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Northshore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA

    Kathleen Biblowitz

  2. Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, Northshore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA

    Shashi Bellam & Giselle Mosnaim

Authors
  1. Kathleen Biblowitz
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  2. Shashi Bellam
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  3. Giselle Mosnaim
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giselle Mosnaim.

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Funding

No funding was received for the preparation of this review article.

Conflict of interest

Dr. Biblowitz and Dr. Bellam declare that they have no conflict of interest. Dr. Mosnaim receives research grant support from GlaxoSmithKline and Propeller Health; owns stock options in Electrocore; and serves as a consultant and/or member of a scientific advisory board for Electrocore, GlaxoSmithKline, Teva, Novartis, Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim and Propeller Health.

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Biblowitz, K., Bellam, S. & Mosnaim, G. Improving Asthma Outcomes in the Digital Era: A Systematic Review. Pharm Med 32, 173–187 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40290-018-0233-y

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