JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Rhinitis is the most common sinonasal condition and poses a significant cost burden. Rhinitis symptom control is associated with exposure to environmental triggers (e.g. aeroallergens, pollutants, irritants). While people spend much of their time at home, studies examining the association of rhinitis symptoms with home environmental exposures, especially in low-income, urban racial/ethnic minorities, are limited.

Objective:

To determine the feasibility and usability of daily and triggered EMA (Ecological Monitoring Assessment) paired with an indoor air quality monitor to collect environmental exposure and rhinitis symptom data.

Methods:

Participants were recruited from the Allergy and ENT clinics at two urban academic centers. Participants had to have a rhinitis diagnosis with active rhinitis symptoms, be ≥18 years old, self-identify as a racial/ethnic minority, live in city limits of Chicago, be able to read and speak English, and have a smartphone. Participants received the Awair Omni® air quality monitor to measure VOCs (volatile organic compounds), PM2.5 (particulate matter), and humidity. EMA data were collected using a personal smartphone using the PiLR Health app. Participants were sent daily scheduled survey, random check-in survey, and air quality event triggered survey EMA notifications to assess rhinitis symptoms, environmental exposures, and mitigation strategies for 14 days. After the 14-day data collection period, participants completed acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility survey items. Feasibility metrics captured included recruitment/retention, demographic data, rhinitis symptoms, and the usability of the PiLR Health App and Awair Omni® device, Barriers and challenges were identified and captured by study staff. Descriptive statistics were performed using Excel.

Results:

Twenty-four participants were approached, 15 participants consented and 12 participants completed the study. Participants received an average of 62.42± 14.26 total surveys during their study period, and of those surveys, an average of 36.83± 22.18 (59.0%) surveys were completed. All 12 participants met the threshold for successful home air monitoring, (≥11 days of continuous environmental data assessment). Usability of study components and integration into the overall study was high (SUS≥68;), indicating participants considered each of the devices to be usable. Participant feedback on the study was positive yet they did identify areas for improvement including getting air quality data in real-time, providing more detailed instructions for device set up, and doing more frequent check-ins.

Conclusions:

A real-time assessment of home environmental exposures and subjective rhinitis symptoms was feasible to conduct. This study will support the development of targeted interventions to address disparities in sinonasal disease care and outcomes.