The relationship between objective app engagement and medication adherence in asthma and COPD: a retrospective analysis

Abstract

Digital health tools can promote disease self-management, but the association of smartphone app engagement and medication adherence is unclear. We assessed the relationship between objective smartphone app engagement and controller medication use in adults with asthma and COPD. We retrospectively analyzed data from participants enrolled in a digital self-management platform for asthma and COPD. Eligible adults had a smartphone and a paired electronic medication monitor (EMM). Longitudinal, mixed-effects logistic regressions estimated the relationship between daily app engagement (app opens, session duration) and daily controller medication use. Data from 2309 participants (71% asthma; 29% COPD) was analyzed. Opening the app (vs. not opening the app) was associated with significantly greater odds (OR (95% CI)) of using controller medications in asthma (2.08 (1.98, 2.19)) and COPD (1.61 (1.49, 1.75). Longer session duration was also associated with greater odds of using controller medications in asthma and COPD, but the odds of use attenuated with longer session duration in COPD. This study presents a novel assessment of the relationship between objectively-measured smartphone app engagement and controller medication use in asthma and COPD. Such insights may help develop targeted digital health tools and interventions.

Clinical Impact of Electronic Monitoring Devices of Inhalers in Adults with Asthma or COPD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…We found eight observational studies [ 28 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ] and 10 clinical trials meeting the criteria [ 23 , 27 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ] ( Figure 3 , Table 1 and Table 2 ).…”

“…Variables were differently operationalized across studies (e.g., mean daily short-acting beta-agonist [SABA] use, change in mean of SABA use, percentage of SABA-free days, etc.). Six of the studies performed statistical analyses of the clinical outcomes [ 28 , 44 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 50 ], while two studies presented descriptive analyses only [ 45 , 48 ]. Adherence to maintenance inhalers improved in two studies [ 49 , 50 ] whereas it was similar or decreased in the other two studies [ 44 , 46 ].…”

Adherence to treatment recommendations of patients with chronic non-communicable respiratory diseases – a narrative review

“…The present review enrolled 44 studies covering 70,206 patients with COPD 55] and 90,530 with asthma [20,. Of the included articles, 13 were conducted in America, 13 in Europe, five in Asia, and one in Africa.…”

“…One way to support patients in maintaining the regularity of therapy is to provide tools that make it easier for them to take prescribed medications regularly in their daily lives. Kaye et al [20] evaluated the relationship between objective engagement of smartphone apps and the use of control medications in adults with asthma and COPD. Eligible adults in the study had a smartphone and a paired electronic medication monitor (EMM).…”

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“…Retrospektive Analysen zeigen in der Tat einen positiven Zusammenhang zwischen der Nutzung einer solchen Engagement-App und der medikamentösen Therapieadhärenz bei COPD und Asthma. Als Gründe dafür diskutieren Kaye et al [2] ein gesteigertes Gesundheitsbewusstsein und damit einhergehend eine höhere Gesundheitskompetenz als Grundlage für ein besseres Krankheitsselbstmanagement.…”