Abstract
mHealth, such as apps running on consumer smart devices is becoming increasingly popular and has the potential to profoundly affect healthcare and health outcomes. However, it may be disruptive and results achieved are not always reaching the goals. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) has evolved from a guideline using the best evidence-based approach to care pathways suited to real-life using mobile technology in allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma multimorbidity. Patients largely use over-the-counter medications dispensed in pharmacies. Shared decision making centered around the patient and based on self-management should be the norm. Mobile Airways Sentinel networK (MASK), the Phase 3 ARIA initiative, is based on the freely available MASK app (the Allergy Diary, Android and iOS platforms). MASK is available in 16 languages and deployed in 23 countries. The present paper provides an overview of the methods used in MASK and the key results obtained to date. These include a novel phenotypic characterization of the patients, confirmation of the impact of allergic rhinitis on work productivity and treatment patterns in real life. Most patients appear to self-medicate, are often non-adherent and do not follow guidelines. Moreover, the Allergy Diary is able to distinguish between AR medications. The potential usefulness of MASK will be further explored by POLLAR (Impact of Air Pollution on Asthma and Rhinitis), a new Horizon 2020 project using the Allergy Diary.
Highlights
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common chronic disease worldwide
Mobile health is the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for health services and information transfer [12]. mHealth, including apps running on consumer smart devices, is becoming increasingly popular and has the potential to profoundly impact on healthcare [13]
Mobile Airways Sentinel networK (MASK) is focusing on (1) understanding the disease mechanisms and the effects of air pollution in allergic diseases and asthma, (2) better appraising the burden incurred by medical needs and indirect costs, (3) the implementation of multi-sectoral care pathways integrating self-care, air pollution and patient’s literacy, using emerging technologies with real world data using the AIRWAYS integrated care pathways for airway diseases (ICPs) algorithm [28], (4) proposing individualized and predictive medicine in rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity, (5) proposing the basis for a sentinel network at the global level for pollution and allergy and (6) assessing the societal implications of exposure to air pollution and allergens and its consequences on health inequalities globally
Summary
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common chronic disease worldwide. Evidence-based guidelines have improved knowledge on rhinitis and made a significant impact on AR management. Mobile Airways Sentinel networK (MASK), the Phase 3 ARIA initiative, has been initiated to reduce the global burden of rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity, giving the patient and the health care professional simple tools to better prevent and manage respiratory allergic diseases. MASK is focusing on (1) understanding the disease mechanisms and the effects of air pollution in allergic diseases and asthma, (2) better appraising the burden incurred by medical needs and indirect costs, (3) the implementation of multi-sectoral care pathways integrating self-care, air pollution and patient’s literacy, using emerging technologies with real world data using the AIRWAYS ICPs algorithm [28], (4) proposing individualized and predictive medicine in rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity, (5) proposing the basis for a sentinel network at the global level for pollution and allergy and (6) assessing the societal implications of exposure to air pollution and allergens and its consequences on health inequalities globally.
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