The UK Review of Asthma Deaths (Royal College of Physicians, 2014) found that up to 66% of asthma deaths are preventable through good self-management. However, existing digital self-management tools are not widely used. This study builds on Asthma + Lung UK's previous behavioural segmentation of the adult asthma population (Fallas et al.,Thorax 2021;76:A26), and aims to identify trends in reliever-inhaler use, technology use and other self-management behaviours.

From December 2022?March 2023, Asthma + Lung UK ran an online survey, receiving 10,500 responses from people with asthma to questions about reliever inhaler use, and the use of technology to manage their asthma. The responses to both sets of questions were then clustered against demographic data. The trends were compared to the statistical personas created in our behavioural study.

15% of respondents reported using technology at some point, with the most common being a digital peak flow meter. 62% of those who currently use technology do not think that it has made a difference to their asthma management. Reliever-overusers were found to be over-represented in the technology-using group (80% vs 72%). These trends match with the profile of reliver-overuse from our previous behavioural study, which found an association between the over-use of reliever inhalers, frequent monitoring and higher levels of anxiety.

Use of technology to manage asthma is low but increasing, and this data highlights a proportion of the population that could become hypervigilant or anxious if recommended digital monitoring tools. This insight could be used to better match populations with the most suitable support tool.