Using digital health insights advances understanding of COPD exacerbations
SOURCE: The Institute
January 6, 2025
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by debilitating symptoms and acute “lung attacks” (exacerbations) that often lead to hospitalization.
A team of researchers led by Bryan A. Ross, MD, M.Sc. (Epidemiology, Physiology) at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute) has achieved a breakthrough in understanding exacerbations. Their latest study, published in the prestigious eBioMedicine-Lancet journal, highlights the use of wearable biometric devices for remote patient monitoring and sheds new light on how wearable technology can revolutionize the management of COPD.
A new chapter in COPD research
In this study, 21 patients experiencing exacerbations of COPD wore advanced biometric wearable devices—a wristband and a ring—for 21 consecutive days in their home environments. These wearables continuously collected physiological data, including heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, activity levels, and sleep patterns. Dr. Ross’s team then mapped these parameters against daily symptom questionnaires to uncover biomarkers that signal the daily progression and improvement (or worsening) of exacerbations.
“This work provides one of the most detailed multisystem descriptions of COPD exacerbations documented to date,” says Dr. Ross, who is a Junior Scientist in the Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases (RESP) Program at The Institute, Respirologist at the Montreal Chest Institute and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at McGill University. “The wearable devices give insights into how the lungs, heart, activity, sleep, and nervous system responses evolve during these critical episodes. Importantly, the research revealed distinct physiological patterns that could predict whether or not patients would recover from exacerbations, paving the way for earlier and more targeted interventions.”
From hospital beds to wearable tech
While earlier studies relied on bulky equipment like supplemental oxygen and ventilation devices, Dr. Ross’s work demonstrates the potential of small, comfortable wearables to capture high-quality, multiparameter data over extended periods. This innovation could significantly improve quality of life for patients while reducing the strain on healthcare systems.
“The more we understand COPD exacerbations, the better equipped we are to detect them early and respond promptly. This means keeping patients well and out of hospital,” Dr. Ross explains.
Looking ahead
The findings are a critical step in a rigorous, multistep research journey aimed at enhancing remote patient monitoring for individuals living with advanced COPD. The team’s next study will focus on identifying early warning signs of exacerbations in a larger cohort of patients, supported by the MI4 Pfizer Early Career Investigator Award.
Dr. Ross’s research was made possible through support from the Department of Medicine and the dedicated teams at the Montreal Chest Institute Day Hospital and COPD clinical program at the McGill University Health Centre. By integrating patient perspectives, the work not only advances science but also offers hope to the growing population of individuals living with COPD.
About the publication
“Continuous characterization of exacerbation pathophysiology using wearable technologies in free-living outpatients with COPD: a prospective observational cohort study.” Felix-Antoine Coutu, Olivia C. Iorio, Seyedfakhreddin Nabavi, Amir Hadid, Dennis Jensen, Sushmita Pamidi, Jianguo Xia and Bryan A. Ross. eBioMedicine, Volume 110, 105472. Published November 22, 2024.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105472
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