Intelligent evaluation of the efficacy of smart stethoscope in monitoring childhood acute asthma exacerbation / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the effects of smart stethoscope on the monitoring childhood asthma exacerbation, so as to assist family management in childhood asthma.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled study was carried out.A total of 80 children with asthma who were treated at Department of Pediatric Respiratory, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Shanghai Tonxin Pediatric Clinic from November 2020 to May 2021 were enrolled and randomly divided into a test group of 40 cases (used the smart stethoscope) and a control group of 40 cases(not used the smart stethoscope). Medical history data were collected.The control group received monthly routine follow-up, while the test group was followed up both routinely and by smart stethoscope.In the test group, hearing wheezing sound was regarded as asthma exacerbation, and in the control group, the asthma exacerbation was reported by the parents themselves.The frequency of asthma exacerbation, asthma control level and quality of life were compared between the two groups.The recognition, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of acute asthma exacerbation in two groups of children were described and analyzed.Measurement data were analyzed by t test or Mann- Whitney U test.Numeration data were analyzed by χ2 test. Results:Respiratory sounds collected by smart stethoscope in the test group were assessed by 3 specialist physicians.There were 12 wheezing rales (42.86%), 1 moist rale (3.57%) and 1 rhonchi rale (3.57%). Besides, 12 files (42.86%) were difficult to distinguish, and 2 files (7.14%) induced inconsistent identification.The number of asthma exacerbation was 12 in the test group and 5 in the control group.In the test group, 12 were recognized by the smart stethoscope, and only 6 were recognized by the parents.Comparing the diagnosis and treatment measures between two groups, it was found that there were more children in the test group (38.1%) receiving home treatment through telemedicine than those in the control group (20.0%). Besides, there were less children (61.9%) in the test group receiving unplanned hospital treatment (including unplanned outpatient, emergency and hospitalization) than those in the control group (80.0%). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups of children during acute asthma exacerbation ( χ2=4.67, P=0.097). Parents were satisfied with the common functions, convenience and stability of smart stethoscope. Conclusions:Smart stethoscope can acquire the respiratory sounds of children with asthma in real time, achieving timely detection, diagnosis and treatment of asthma exacerbation in children.What′s more, smart stethoscope reduces the incidence of unplanned hospital diagnosis and treatment, and assists parents with better family management of children asthma.