Digital Inhalers May Predict COPD Flare-Ups: Study Finds
Digital inhalers may help predict impending acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study published in the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation.
Exacerbations, or flare-ups, can cause accelerated loss of lung function, a decrease in quality of life, and reduce a person’s physical function and activity. More than 50% of people with COPD experience at least one acute COPD exacerbation within four years of an initial COPD diagnosis. Increased respiratory rates and decreased lung volumes are early signs of an exacerbation.
The new study examined how digital inhalers using remote monitoring data can help predict and identify early or impending COPD exacerbations. It was an observational pilot study conducted virtually at two U.S. centers between March 2022 and February 2023. It included COPD patients with documented airflow limitation (FEV1/FVC <0.70 and FEV1 ≤80%) and a history of recent exacerbations. After virtual screening and verbal consent, participants received three ProAir Digihaler inhalers by mail and were instructed to use them as their primary short acting beta 2 agonist therapy. App onboarding was done via a central call center.
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