MASK : ARIA digitally‑enabled, integrated, person‑centred care for rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity using real‑world‑evidence. A MACVIA RS initiative (France)
The MACVIA RS is promoting Mobile Airways Sentinel networK (MASK), the Phase 3 ARIA initiative, is based on the freely available MASK app available in 16 languages and deployed in 23 countries.
mHealth, such as apps running on consumer smart devices is becoming increasingly popular and has the potential to profoundly affect healthcare and health outcomes. However, it may be disruptive and results achieved are not always reaching the goals. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) has evolved from a guideline using the best evidence-based approach to care pathways suited to real-life using mobile technology in allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma multimorbidity. Patients largely use over-the-counter medications dispensed in pharmacies. Shared decision making centered around the patient and based on self-management should be the norm. Mobile Airways Sentinel networK (MASK), the Phase 3 ARIA initiative, is based on the freely available MASK app (the Allergy Diary, Android and iOS platforms, soon to be MASKair). The mobile app Allergy Diary is available in 16 languages and deployed in 23 countries.
MASK is a novel approach to obtain real-life data concerning rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity and to help patients and physicians for a better SDM. It can be used for multiple purposes in a friendly manner in order to improve the control of allergic diseases in a cost-effective approach.
MASK is a Good Practice of DG Santé and is the reference MASK 2017.
Global applicability of MASK
| Applicability | MASK |
| Clinical practice |
Physicians are able to read the files of the patients in order to: Optimize treatment for the patient and, in particular, the current or the next pollen season. Assess and increase the adherence to treatment. Help for shared decision making. Prescribe allergen immunotherapy (AIT) more rapidly when the patient is not controlled despite optimal pharmacologic treatment. Determine the efficacy of AIT in patients The Allergy Diary (soon to be MASKair) is an essential tool to provide personalized medicine in AR and asthma. |
| Change management |
The first results of MASK indicate that many patients are uncontrolled and non -adherent to treatment. Moreover, they appear to use their medications as needed and not as a regular basis as prescribed Change management is needed |
| Patient empowerment |
Better understanding of the symptoms Sentinel network linking aerobiology data and control Improved adherence Self-management Patient empowerment Messages sent by the App. |
| Clinical trials |
For RCTs, it is essential to have clarity on definitions, and relevant tools. The Allergy Diary, allows To better stratify the patients needing AIT To assess the efficacy of AIT during the trial To assess the efficacy when AIT is stopped Observational studies are of key importance to confirm RCTs and bring new hypotheses for the treatment of AR and asthma |
| Registration and reimbursement of medicines |
Controlled trials designed with a uniform approach will be more easily evaluated by the Health Technology Assessment agencies (such as NICE) for reimbursement. The Allergy Diary uses EQ-5D, a validated measure of utility Better understanding of direct and indirect costs |
| Research on mechanisms and genetics |
A uniform definition and a collaborative approach to epidemiological, genetic and mechanistic research are important and will be enhanced by the stratification of patients using the Allergy Diary. Different levels of phenotype characterization (granularity) can be applied to assess phenotypic characterization in old age subjects. |
| Epidemiology |
In epidemiologic population studies, standardized definitions and tools are fundamental. The Allergy Diary allows novel approaches combining classical cross-sectional and longitudinal studies with real life studies in large populations. |
| Employers |
AR and asthma represent a major burden for the employers, and the estimated annual costs in the EU range from 30 to 60 B€. Better control of the disease was shown to reduce costs. The Allergy Diary has the potential to improve the control of allergic diseases and to significantly improve work productivity at the EU level. |
| Public health planning |
For public health purposes, a perfect patient characterization in real life is needed to identify the prevalence, burden and costs incurred by patients in order to improve quality of care and optimize health care planning and policies. |
| Reduction of inequities |
Inequities still exist in the EU for allergic diseases prevalence and burden (not only sex/gender inequities). POLLAR will attempt to understand them and to propose policies and health promotion strategies |