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The healthcare sector utilizes new connected devices to enhance inhalation therapy by informing patients who suffer from chronic diseases and help them continue treatment.
FREMONT, CA : In treating most chronic diseases, non-adherence has been identified as a significant problem affecting approximately 50 percent of patients, a significant proportion of elderly people. Research has also shown that the effects of non-adherence can lead to substantial concerns, such as a decline in the effectiveness of treatment and a rise in the expense of medical care. In the past, it was difficult to specifically classify classes of patients who exhibited non-adherence behavior based on socio-economic or pathological factors. Seeking successful strategies to strengthen these behaviors, however, remains a significant problem.
Several platforms to track adherence have been implemented over the past decades. The key aim is to inform patients who suffer from chronic diseases and encourage them to continue their care. Nonetheless, to resolve the existing obstacles, knowledge of the effects of non-compliance and adverse scenarios of discontinuation of treatments should be further enhanced.
NON-ADHERENCE IMPLICATIONS IN CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASES
Many patients have been identified in chronic respiratory disorders as not coping with their care, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. One research indicated that only half of the total patient sample completed 80 percent of their prescribed inhaled antibiotic treatment to treat their disease when it comes to bronchiectasis.
Likewise, while there are presently a variety of options available to treat patients with COPD, many patients remain symptomatic due to non-adherence problems that may be attributed to the health-related interactions, attitudes, and values of the patients, with little change in their condition.
Another study recorded that patients with both COPD and asthma tend to limit their inhalation therapy to a single daily dose. It is a factor that should be considered in this category when trying to increase commitment to treatment.
INTRODUCING ADHERENCE DEVICES
Several non-digital and digital devices have been launched in the past few years to help patients reach higher adherence levels to their medication. Inhalers that include monitors in their design have non-digital instruments so that patients can keep track of the number of treatments that they have received or that remain. On the other hand, digital or connected devices provide a wider variety of features, which depend on communication capabilities that enable patients to set regular medication reminders, receive input on their inhalation profiles, and even access educational pages. Information can be gained and examined conveniently by patients and reviewed by medical professionals, thus enhancing treatment effectiveness.
Although some smart devices are connected as add-ons to inhalation care items, others have embedded devices that build smart functions in the inhalation devices. Some commercially available smart caps can be used for pressure metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) when it comes to add-ons and a few others that are ideal for dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and soft mist inhalers.
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