Study: Smart inhaler can boosts medication adherence by 144 percent

Smart inhalers

Australia-based Adherium has released data from three small studies of its Smartinhaler system. Involving children and adolescents, the data from these studies show a 144% increase in adherence for patients using the connected devices, a 14.9% increase in lung function and a 37% reduction in oral steroid usage.

“Asthma can be a debilitating condition and independent studies have consistently demonstrated that our Smartinhaler platform can transform the lives of children,” said Adherium CEO Garth Sutherland. “These three studies are a valuable contribution to the growing bank of clinical outcomes data which supports the use of Smartinhaler medication sensors in improving health outcomes and medication adherence in chronic respiratory disease.”

The smallest of the studies was more of a focus group involving seven adolescents, who were interviewed about the smart inhaler form factor. Participants were asked to use the device for a month, and complete questionnaires at the beginning, middle, and end of the trial. Researchers found “significantly positive results” towards having inhaler use monitored and shared with family or healthcare providers, along with “enthusiasm for utilizing the device to prove their independence and demonstrate responsibility for their asthma” However, some participants were still concerned about using an inhaler in front of their peers.

Another study, with 50 participants, demonstrated significant increases in lung function and decreases in lung inflammation in patients who used the device. The same patients also scored higher on a questionnaire that was designed to evaluate quality of life.

Earlier this year, Adherium scored a deal with AstraZeneca under which the pharma giant would offer Adherium’s smart inhalers to asthma and COPD patients.Finally, the largest study — involving 90 participants — is a still running in Sheffield, England and we got interim results. Thus far, the trial has found a 144 percent increase in adherence in the group using Adherium’s device, which includes feedback and reminder alarms, compared with the control group. Also, those using Smartinhaler are 37 percent less likely to use oral steroids, which should correspond to a similar decrease in the number of asthma exasperation events, and a 14.9 percent increase in lung function.

In July, Adherium scored a deal with AstraZeneca under which the pharma giant would offer Adherium’s smart inhalers to asthma and COPD patients. Later in the summer, Adherium has filed for an IPO, raising $25.6M in the process.

[Via: mobihealthnews]