Abstract
Evaluation of the Spiroscout, a Novel Device to Record Spatially and Temporally Resolved Asthma Exacerbation Events, Near Braddock, PA
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.), v 23(5S)
Sep 2012
Abstract
Background: The Spiroscout is a small, portable unit that attaches easily to most metered dose inhalers, determines the time and location of use, and wirelessly communicates that information to a remote server. Our study defines asthma exacerbation using this novel combined clinical end point.
Objectives: Our study was designed to field test the Spiroscout and explore the potential relationship between childhood asthma morbidity and combined impacts from traffic, industrial and regional background accumulation and indoor pollution exposures.
Methods: The Spiroscout was piloted in ~15 homes of asthmatic children residing in and around Braddock, PA, in summer 2011 and winter 2012. In addition to this unique health endpoint, one week indoor PM2.5, NOx, temperature and humidity measurements and corresponding outdoor air pollution data were collected. We are also piloting a spatially-improved version of the Spiroscout in a subset of the homes sampled in winter 2012 (ongoing). Results: Preliminary results show that the Spiroscout accurately captures temporal inhaler use, but often does not record sufficient spatial information, perhaps due to poor satellite reception. Nonetheless, the time-resolved inhaler use data will allow us to examine the preliminary association between multiple indoor and outdoor air pollution exposures (lagged) and short-acting beta agonist use using general linear models.
Conclusions: With some improvements, the Spiroscout could offer an immediate and more accurate and reliable means of assessing medication use, compared to existing alternative methods including doselogging devices, questionnaires, or mobile interfaces. This monitoring advancement could lead to important advances in understanding factors responsible for asthma exacerbation.
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Details
- Title
- Evaluation of the Spiroscout, a Novel Device to Record Spatially and Temporally Resolved Asthma Exacerbation Events, Near Braddock, PA
- Creators
- Kyra Shields - University of PittsburghBrett Tunno - University of PittsburghDavid Van Sickle - University of PittsburghLeah Cambal - University of PittsburghJeffery Howell - University of PittsburghFernando Holguin - University of PittsburghJane Clougherty - University of Pittsburgh
- Publication Details
- Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.), v 23(5S)
- Publisher
- Lippincott
- Number of pages
- 1
- Resource Type
- Abstract
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health; Environmental and Occupational Health
- Other Identifier
- 991020099057504721