Aptar Digital Health, a prominent name in digital healthcare, has launched a collaborative study with the renowned Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London. The study will assess the effectiveness of Aptar’s Respiratory Disease Management Platform (ADH Respiratory DMP) in improving asthma control among adult patients. The initiative, supported by the Clinical Research Organisation Lindus Health, aims to evaluate how digital health solutions can enhance asthma treatment and management over a 12-month period.
The study, which began in July 2024, involves 118 adult patients with moderate to severe asthma. The focus is on determining whether the ADH Respiratory DMP can improve the management of asthma symptoms, increase medication adherence, and reduce the need for hospital admissions. Researchers will also assess patients’ quality of life and satisfaction with the digital platform.
Tackling the Challenges of Asthma in the UK
Asthma is a widespread and serious condition in the UK, affecting more than 12% of the population. With one asthma attack occurring every eight minutes and resulting in over 60,000 hospital admissions annually, the National Health Service (NHS) invests approximately £1 billion a year in treating the condition. However, up to 65% of asthma patients in the UK do not receive basic care, such as regular health checks and personalised treatment plans. Additionally, around 40% of inhaler prescriptions are refilled without consultations with healthcare professionals, meaning many patients lack the necessary support to manage their condition effectively.
The ADH Respiratory DMP aims to address these gaps in care by providing a comprehensive digital solution. The platform includes a mobile app that connects to Aptar’s HeroTracker® Sense inhaler sensor. Through the app, patients can monitor their symptoms and medication usage in real-time, receive reminders, and access educational resources designed to improve asthma management. This technology is intended to empower patients, improve adherence to their treatment plans, and reduce the need for emergency healthcare interventions.
Digital Innovation for Improved Asthma Care
The ADH Respiratory DMP has been designed to enhance asthma control by fostering better medication management and adherence. The platform’s mobile app tracks medication use and symptoms in real time, offering reminders for when medication is due. It also provides educational content to help patients improve their inhaler technique, which is crucial in managing asthma symptoms and preventing severe attacks. The HeroTracker® Sense sensor attaches to inhalers, recording when and how often the inhaler is used, and ensuring patients follow their prescribed treatment.
Geneviève d’Orsay, Chief Medical Officer at Aptar Digital Health, highlighted the global impact of asthma, affecting over 334 million people worldwide. She noted that many asthma sufferers experience severe symptoms that disrupt their daily lives. She expressed confidence in the ADH Respiratory DMP’s potential to improve asthma control, citing previous positive outcomes from a study in the United States. “Our respiratory platform has already shown promise in improving asthma management in the US, and we’re excited to explore the benefits of our enhanced platform in this new clinical study,” d’Orsay added.
Pierre Leurent, President of Patient Services and Digital Health at Aptar Pharma, shared similar enthusiasm for the project. “Our mission is to enhance the patient experience, and we’re excited to collaborate with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust on this important study. By integrating digital solutions into asthma care, we aim to deliver real improvements in patient outcomes and quality of life.”
The Importance of Adherence in Asthma Management
One of the primary objectives of the study is to address the issue of poor adherence to inhaled steroids, which is a significant barrier to effective asthma control. Professor David Jackson, a consultant in Asthma & Eosinophilic Lung Diseases at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, is leading the clinical study. He explained the challenges posed by poor adherence, noting that many patients with poorly controlled asthma are incorrectly assumed to have severe asthma, leading to unnecessary and costly treatments with biologic agents.
“Electronic monitoring of adherence to inhaled corticosteroids has enormous potential to improve the quality of care and reduce healthcare costs,” said Professor Jackson. “This study will help us demonstrate the value of digital solutions in improving asthma management, potentially transforming how we care for asthma patients in the future.”
Looking to the Future
The collaboration between Aptar Digital Health and the NHS Foundation Trust marks a significant step forward in the application of digital health solutions for managing chronic conditions like asthma. As the study progresses, the findings will provide valuable insights into how digital platforms can support patients in managing their conditions more effectively, reducing hospital admissions, and improving overall quality of life.
Aptar Digital Health is part of the global AptarGroup, a leader in drug delivery and consumer product technologies. The company specialises in creating digital health solutions that combine mobile apps, connected devices, and data analytics to enhance patient experiences. Their innovative approach to asthma management aligns with a growing trend towards digital interventions in healthcare, aimed at empowering patients to take control of their health.
As asthma continues to pose a significant public health challenge in the UK and beyond, the outcome of this study could shape the future of asthma care, offering a model for integrating digital health technologies into routine medical practice.
For more information, visit www.aptardigitalhealth.com and www.aptar.com.
