Digital Monitoring of Symptoms and Lung Function During Birch Pollen Season in Pediatric Patients

IF 4 2区医学 Q2 ALLERGY

Clinical and Translational Allergy Pub Date : 2025-09-29 DOI:10.1002/clt2.70101

Tiina Helena Tanninen, Paula Hannele Reiterä, Annika Saarto, Janne Burman, Anna Susanna Pelkonen, Mika Juhani Mäkelä

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Abstract

Background

Mobile health (mHealth) applications for asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) may guide patients in following medication use, symptoms, and lung function supporting self-management.

Objective

The primary study objective was to investigate the objective effect of birch pollen on asthma and AR symptoms and medicine use in pediatric patients with varying levels of birch-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) during the 2022 birch pollen season using digital tools. The secondary objectives were to determine the effect of birch pollen on Asthma Control Test scores, and to record the subjective benefits in self-management while using the application.

Methods

Altogether, 48 pediatric participants were categorized into three groups based on their birch-specific IgE levels. Participants continued their existing asthma control therapy. For allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) or a combination of INCS and intranasal antihistamines, and cromoglicates or local antihistamines were prescribed. The study involved daily asthma and allergic rhinitis symptom and medication reporting via the mHealth application (KAMU Health, Finland) combined with microspirometry during the birch pollen season in Helsinki, Finland.

Results

The patients preferred oral AR treatment. However, the low birch pollen levels may have contributed to moderate adherence to AR treatment. A low birch pollen load does not significantly impair lung function in young patients receiving anti-asthmatic treatment regularly. The majority of patients perceived this digital approach as beneficial, irrespective of their level of birch-specific sensitization.

Conclusion

Digital tools support asthma and AR care by enabling disease monitoring, patient engagement, and provide real-world insights for clinicians.

Abstract Image

查看原文本刊更多论文

儿科桦树花粉季节症状和肺功能的数字监测。

背景：哮喘和过敏性鼻炎（AR）的移动健康（mHealth）应用程序可以指导患者跟踪药物使用、症状和肺功能，支持自我管理。目的：主要研究目的是利用数字化工具，探讨2022年桦树花粉季节桦树花粉对不同水平桦树特异性免疫球蛋白E （IgE）患儿哮喘和AR症状及用药的客观影响。次要目标是确定桦树花粉对哮喘控制测试分数的影响，并记录使用该应用程序时自我管理的主观益处。方法：48名儿童参与者根据桦树特异性IgE水平分为三组。参与者继续他们现有的哮喘控制治疗。对于变应性鼻炎和结膜炎，开抗组胺药、鼻内皮质类固醇（INCS）或INCS与鼻内抗组胺药的组合，以及克罗莫酸盐或局部抗组胺药。该研究涉及在芬兰赫尔辛基桦树花粉季节期间，通过移动健康应用程序（KAMU Health，芬兰）每日哮喘和过敏性鼻炎症状和药物报告，并结合微肺活量测定。结果：患者首选口服AR治疗。然而，较低的桦树花粉水平可能有助于对AR治疗的中等依从性。在定期接受抗哮喘治疗的年轻患者中，低桦树花粉负荷不会显著损害肺功能。大多数患者认为这种数字化方法是有益的，无论他们的桦树特异性致敏程度如何。结论：数字工具通过实现疾病监测、患者参与和为临床医生提供真实世界的见解来支持哮喘和AR护理。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical and Translational Allergy Immunology and Microbiology-Immunology

CiteScore

7.50

自引率

4.50%

发文量

117

审稿时长

12 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical and Translational Allergy, one of several journals in the portfolio of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, provides a platform for the dissemination of allergy research and reviews, as well as EAACI position papers, task force reports and guidelines, amongst an international scientific audience. Clinical and Translational Allergy accepts clinical and translational research in the following areas and other related topics: asthma, rhinitis, rhinosinusitis, drug hypersensitivity, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic skin diseases, atopic eczema, urticaria, angioedema, venom hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis, food allergy, immunotherapy, immune modulators and biologics, animal models of allergic disease, immune mechanisms, or any other topic related to allergic disease.