Abstract

Background: In Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD), accurate prediction of progression rate and prognosis remains difficult. Patient centered measurements may improve early detection of disease progression and enable personalized treatment. Aims and objectives: To develop a novel algorithm for self-assessment (ASA) of symptom burden and quality of life (QoL), home spirometry, and O2 saturation at rest and during exercise; to assess patient satisfaction and adherence in a prospective, open-label, pilot trial. Methods: The smartphone app-based ?eurILDreg ASA? was developed together with patientMpower. It allows a once daily symptom check including signs of respiratory infection, QoL assessment (EQ5D5L, K-BILD, LCQ), spirometry (MIR spirobank), pulse oximetry (Nonin 3230) at rest and during exercise (one minute sit to stand test), and data from the nearest weather station indicating outdoor pollution level. All pseudonymized data were transferred to the eurILDreg data warehouse. The primary endpoint was adherence to the algorithm, as given by the number of completed measurements / days in the study. Results: Of the 19 patients enrolled until now, 17 patients have completed the first 4 weeks. Of them, 15 patients performed measurements daily; 2 patients unexpectedly died. The adherence rate in the first 4 weeks was 91%. Although eurILDreg-ASA was accepted in general, 6 patients reported the algorithm to be rather lengthy. Conclusions: Our interim data indicate that eurILDreg ASA is feasible and acceptable. However, further exploration in a larger prospective study appears necessary.