A world first for the Dutch Maastricht University Hospital: an app that can predict a COPD attack has now been successfully tested in practice. Pulmonologist and researcher Sami Simons of the MUMC+ developed the app together with his team and patients. During the ICT&Health World Conference in Maastricht, May 2024, he presented the SPEAK study (Speaking up to detect lung attacks). Meanwhile, 89-year-old Margo Tangelder has demonstrated that the app is effective in detecting lung attacks early.
Simons' research focuses on finding new and more targeted treatment methods for lung exacerbations in people with COPD and includes both laboratory-based research and human studies. The app he co-developed analyzes the voices of lung patients by comparing vocal vibrations with an extensive database. According to Simons, damage to the lungs can also be audible in a person's voice, because the same airflow is required for both breathing and speaking. The app uses smart technology to detect those subtle voice changes.
Remote diagnosis
Thanks to the new app, patients can receive faster help during a lung exacerbation because the app can diagnose it remotely. Margo Tangelder is a firsthand experiencer; she has COPD and frequently suffers from lung exacerbations. She describes how shortness of breath suddenly strikes her, without any clear warning. Her breathing becomes increasingly shallow: she inhales more and more, while she forgets to exhale. This is precisely what causes the shortness of breath, Tangelder explains.
Lauren Reinders, a physician-researcher at the NUTRIM Institute in Maastricht hospital, explains that the voice changes due to the clinical picture. And because the voice changes just before a lung exacerbation, this can also be measured. Her colleague at the NUTRIM Institute, researcher Rosanne Beijers, adds that nutrition can also play a major role in the medical process surrounding a lung exacerbation. That is why Tangelder is undergoing several tests.
Broader picture
According to the researchers, this broad assessment is important for the patient. In addition to lung function, muscle strength, stress levels, and the gut microbiome are also measured. Research shows that in COPD patients, not only the lungs are damaged, but other organs are also affected. This damage can also worsen during a lung exacerbation. Margo Tangelder hopes that others with COPD will benefit from the app in the future, which will also be tested in home settings at the end of this year.
