Joint research project for equal asthma care
Region Stockholm
Through the joint research call within health and medical technology Region Stockholm and KTH aim to bridge gaps between technical development and better health. One of the granted projects 2023 is about facilitating and streamlining the diagnosis of asthma.
Asthma is a common lung disease but difficult to diagnose. Patients have periods when asthma is under control and periods of uncontrolled asthma with multiple asthma attacks. The disease course varies over time, and healthcare has difficulty following up to the extent needed.
Simplified process for patient and healthcare provider
The research project has been granted one million kronor per year for two years. It aims to develop an automated system for asthma diagnosis that can complement and facilitate today's diagnoses by physicians but also work as an aid to self-diagnosis for medication.
-The goal of the project is to improve global health and reduce misdiagnosis of asthma by simplifying the diagnostic process for patients and healthcare providers, says Björn Nordlund, Associate Professor at Karolinska University Hospital.
-There is an inequality in how healthcare works today. Not everyone has access to the same good care. There are significant geographical differences, and healthcare is linked to socioeconomic status. The collaboration with KTH is our contribution to achieving more equitable digital personalized care, says Björn Nordlund.
Wireless lung function meter
Together with a research group at Karolinska University Hospital, Björn Nordlund has developed a product consisting of a wireless lung function meter that connects to the patient's mobile phone via an app. The system is called AsthmaTuner. Björn Nordlund is one of the founders.
Through AsthmaTuner, patients can manage their asthma care on their own through a home spirometer and an app on their mobile phone, Björn Nordlund explains. The app analyzes the measurement results and provides the patient with daily treatment recommendations. Something that can be done without the need for healthcare contact.
To further develop the app and reduce misdiagnosis, the research group at Karolinska University Hospital will collaborate with KTH within AI development.
AI development together with KTH
-When we heard about the development of AsthmaTuner, we wanted to be involved in developing an automated system for asthma diagnosis, says Saikat Chatterjee, Associate Professor at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at KTH. Saikat Chatterjee met the research group from Karolinska University Hospital at a matchmaking meeting and connected Magnus Jansson, Professor in Signal Processing at KTH, with Björn Nordlund.
The research groups jointly wrote an application for the HMT call based on data collection to benefit people's health.
- It´s great that we get to use our data analysis tools on important, real problems and work together with medical expertise. We believe that the application of data-driven asthma diagnostics can contribute to more efficient, less time-consuming, and more accessible asthma care, says Magnus Jansson.
Björn Nordlund agrees.
-We could not have achieved the same results without collaborating with KTH. Collaboration gives us a unique opportunity for research and innovation.
Text: Sofia Tatsis
Foto: Fredrik Person