Continuous respiratory sound monitoring by electronic auscultation: a reliable method for asthma control

BACKGROUND: Asthma is managed using clinical assessment of the patient's condition, questionnaires, and pulmonary function parameters. Respiratory sound monitoring is the most effective way to diagnose and manage nocturnal asthma. There is limited research into respiratory sound monitoring in asthma, and available studies primarily focus on pediatric patients.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the reliability of respiratory sound monitoring and changes in the severity of wheezing in patients with various levels of asthma control.

METHODS: The study included patients with various levels of asthma control. A Vitalograph ALPHA spirometer (England) was used for spirometry. The author’s technique was used for respiratory sound monitoring by electronic auscultation. The resulting audio files were computer-analyzed.

RESULTS: The study included 86 patients, who were divided into groups 1, 2, and 3 with well-controlled, partially controlled, and uncontrolled asthma, respectively. Wheezing episodes had a direct correlation with asthma control level and severity. In group 3, the mean incidence of nocturnal episodes was 3.3 ± 0.4 (p < 0.05). Monitoring revealed a strong correlation between the number of wheezing episodes and the level of asthma control (r = 0.74; p < 0.05). There was a moderate positive correlation between objective pulmonary function disorders and subjective symptoms (r = 0.39; p < 0.05). There was a weak positive correlation between the duration of wheezing episodes and the severity of pulmonary function disorders (r = 0.23; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Continuous respiratory sound monitoring is a reliable tool for assessing changes in respiratory sounds in patients with asthma.