The results of mobile tecnologies using for achieving and maintenance of asthma control in children

ABSTRACT

Background: The treatment with controller medication, regular monitoring of symptoms and lung function is required for achieving and maintenance of asthma control in children. The telemedicine technologies using have benefits for distance monitoring, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to analyze the efficacy of our developed mobile technology called MedQuizBot, to evaluate the patient adherence and satisfaction with it. Method: The 6 month prospective observation study of 68 children with asthma (4 to 17 ages) was conducted. All patients were offered to use MedQuizBot via Telegram messenger. Patients had to enter their peak expiratory flow (PEF) values daily and complete asthma control tests (ACT) monthly from March to September 2020 year. MedQuizBot sent notifications to enter data. All patients were able to send e-messages to the doctor via Telegram. Results: 41 patients agreed to use MedQuizBot for the asthma symptoms monitoring. Poor adherence to data entry was mostly detected ACT was completed 1.5 times, CACT-1.8 times in average. Uncontrolled asthma was observed 7 times more often in children >12 y.o. (27%), than in children under 12 y.o (4%). PEF values were entered by 21 patients (51%). Patients <12 y.o., who completed the test with the parents, entered data 7 times more often, than adolescents. 70% of patients had good asthma control. The data were entered 2.5 times more often during the lockdown in Moscow, caused by COVID-19 pandemic and high tree pollen season in spring compared to summer 2020 (609 and 263 interactions, respectively). 5 patients (12%) sent questions to the doctor about their symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, nasal congestion or sneezing) and received the answers with recommendations. Most patients (92%) noted the satisfaction with MedQuizBot using, its effectiveness in achieving asthma control and would agree to use it again. Conclusion: Among various telemedicine technologies, the use of messengers for monitoring asthma patients seems to be the most effective. MedQuizBot was effective in achieving asthma control and is especially needed for monitoring the patients with insufficient disease control, during pollen allergens exposure, acute respiratory diseases, pandemic, poor access to health care.