Digital health tools in the management of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review.

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an IgE-related condition that causes problems for patients and adds stress to healthcare systems everywhere. Though there are many effective drugs available, it is still difficult to keep track of symptoms, get people to stick with their medications and provide customized care.

Objective: We aim to assess whether digital health interventions-specifically those that make use of AI-improve outcomes for managing AR.

Methods: We searched for studies using PRISMA guidelines, looking in PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus from January 2010 to January 2025. We included studies that measured digital approaches (mobile apps, telemedicine tools, wearable devices, electronic diaries and AI in medicine) and reported results for symptom control, following treatment plans, patient satisfaction or accuracy of tests.

Results: In all, 120 studies were included in the review, including 80 randomized controlled trials, 30 observational studies and 10 qualitative analyses. These systems showed significant improvement in managing symptoms (as much as 82%) and taking medicines as recommended (as many as 90%) when used by patients. The accuracy of diagnostic tests increased when additional devices such as FeNO and nasal resistance were worn. Using telemedicine lowered the number of visits required and made patients happier. AIs helped provide real-time, custom suggestions, but today's systems mostly depend on what people say and their environment.

Conclusion: All in all, digital tools help manage AR in many reliable ways. They should be paired with molecular tools and made practical for doctors everywhere for easy acceptance. It is recommended that future studies work on confirming biomarkers, making them available and ensuring fair application.