Pnoi-phone: Introduction

An acoustic-based method for detection and monitoring of respiratory diseases using simultaneously recorded vocal breath sounds and pulmonary(chest) auscultation.

Asthma is a major global health issues. It affects an estimated 300 million people globally. In India, an estimate of 17.23 million people are affected by asthma. The report also identified 13.2 thousand deaths due to asthma in India and noted that asthma accounted for 27.9% of the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the Indian population. India has three times higher mortality and more than two times higher DALYs than the global proportion of asthma burden[1]. The underdiagnosis of respiratory diseases is a significant societal challenge, leading to chronic health problems, reduced quality of life, and even premature death [2].

Spirometry, a gold standard test used to diagnose respiratory diseases through medical history, physical examination, and breathing tests [3]. Although it can measures lung function accurately, challenges such as limited repeatability and the need for patient cooperation, and equipment calibration affect the test's accuracy; high cost, complexity, and limited availability of spirometric testing can hinder the accuracy diagnosis and treatment for respiratory diseases, particularly for those in underserved populations [4].

Fig. Spirometry

Pnoi-phone, an acoustic-based method to evaluate pulmonary function test values (PFT) for the diagnosis and monitoring of asthma, using the Pnoi-phone device to capture and analyze breath sounds from mouth and chest simultaneously. This allows for accurate and effortless diagnosis of respiratory diseases, especially in remote clinics, enabling early intervention and treatment. For successful scaling and introduction of the device into healthcare: affordability, portability, and ease of use are key considerations, along with simplified training for healthcare workers and infrastructure for data collection, storage, and analysis. Ensuring proper usage and optimal patient care would also require further research.

References

1. Mangal Sheetu Singh, Sundeep, Singh V. Prevalence, time trends and treatment practices of asthma in India: Global Asthma Network study. ERJ Open Res 2022; in press. link
2. Omachi, Theodore A. "Poor outcomes and asthma hospitalizations: How important is asthma severity and how do we measure it?." Allergologia et immunopathologia 37.5 (2009): 223. link
3. Vanjare, Nitin, et al. "Use of spirometry among chest physicians and primary care physicians in India." NPJ primary care respiratory medicine 26.1 (2016): 1-5. link
4. Richards, J. A. "Office spirometry-indications and limitations: CPD." South African Family Practice 48.2 (2006): 48-51. link