Dutch researchers revealed that children with asthma, who use domestic supervision systems through smart applications, are less likely to enter the hospital or visit the emergencies by almost half, compared to their counterparts that depend only on traditional care in clinics. The study was presented at the European Respiratory Association Conference in Amsterdam, and included more than 2500 children between the ages of 6 and 18 years. The study showed that the introduction of digital follow -up – by absorbing monthly symptoms, lung function measurements and individual therapeutic plans – not only improved control of the disease, but also reduced the need for emergency interventions. According to the results, the percentage of children with good control over asthma increased from 77 % to 86 % following the approval of the system. What is asthma? Asthma is not only coughing attacks or breathing, but a disease that affects school life, physical activities and the mental health of the child. Of every ten children in Europe, one child of asthma suffers from different grades. In some areas, such as overcrowded industrial cities or many polluted environments, the relationship is increasing to what is more. Worldwide, the World Health Organization indicates that asthma affects about 262 million people annually and causes more than 450,000 deaths. Although asthma is a “management” disease in theory, the daily challenges make it control, especially in children. Until recently, the handling of asthma in children went according to a semi -stated path, as the patient or the breast specialist visited every few months. The treatment depends on a prescription of a drug that includes preventative sprays and sometimes additional tablets, and then the patient is followed in the outpatient. In the event that control or negligence does not fulfill the treatment, the nubia occurs in the form of severe cough, scandalous in the chest and shortness of breath. Here, the routine plan is interrupted, and the family is on their way to the emergency divisions, as the child often moves to the unity of observation or even intensive care. This traditional path means that the health system trading asthma in the response style and waiting for the attack, then intervention. In quiet periods, the medical follow -up is interrupted and incomplete. Thus, the signs of early decline that may prevent the crisis from escalating are not taken up. How do you discover the asthma of your child? Repeated coughs that increase with viral infection, during sleep, or if you exercise, or when exposed to cold air. The sound of a flute or buzz is released at exhalation. Sharp breathing or trouble to breathe deeply. A feeling of congestion or distress in the chest. Sleep disorder due to cough, shortness of breath or night buttons. Repeated attacks of coughing or buzzing get worse when it’s cold or flu. Delayed recovery of respiratory infections or repetition of bronchitis. Struggling to breathe while playing or exercising, limiting the child’s activity. Fatigue or excessive fatigue due to the lack of sleep caused by symptoms. Asthma and smartphones The researchers say that the incidence of smartphones and health applications opens a new window, so what if the doctor can follow the patient remotely? What if the child and his parents record breathing data and symptoms monthly or weekly without the need for the hospital? What if the family receives a personal treatment plan within an application mentioned in the medicine, and provides clear instructions when symptoms occur? Here comes the idea of domestic monitoring as it is not a complete alternative to traditional medical care, but it works as a ‘bridge’ connecting the home and the hospital. And application; What is developed by the research team gives the family a close monitoring work for the pathological condition of the child. 2528 Children between the ages of 6 and 18 participated in the study, and they were divided into two groups; 1374 Children used home control via a digital application called Luchtbrug, although for different periods, while 2236 children relied on traditional care limited to periodic overview of outpatient clinics. The study witnessed the transfer of some children between the two groups during the succession, reflecting the greatest realism of fluctuations in healthcare as it took place in daily life. Home monitoring relied on three main elements that include monthly questionnaires that the child and his family answer to monitor symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath, and lung function measurements using simple devices available at home, the results of which were recorded directly in the application, in addition to a personal treatment plan built in the application prescribed. The system also provided the automatic warning function of the hospital when early indicators exacerbated the condition, enabling doctors to intervene early and edit the treatment plan before developing the crisis. The results showed that home control reduced the risk of visiting the emergency department by 49%and reduced the need to enter the hospital by 57%. The percentage of “good control of asthma” increased from 77% to 86% after the application was used. It is estimated that one hospital can avoid one entry for every 39 children who use home control. These numbers mean hundreds of children who have avoided dangerous episodes, and thousands of hours of anxiety provided by the study. Most importantly, the system was not limited to reducing emergency medical costs, but rather a practical way for parents and children to manage the disease with greater independence and reassurance. The lead author Martinos Obilar said: ‘What we care about is to see the benefit in real life, beyond the circumstances of close experiences. Now we have a good proof that home control not only provides a substitute for some routine visits, but there is a tangible difference in reducing emergency situations. “
A new application that enables the control of asthma in children
