Designing and Implementing an Asthma Management System Based on Air Pollution Data

Introduction: Asthma is an untreatable but manageable disease that has increased dramatically during the last fifty years due to contamination of the surrounding environment with triggers such as air pollution and has become one of the common chronic diseases throughout the world. Researchers consider allergies and environmental stimuli to be one of the essential components of asthma management programs. Predicting the impact of these factors, identifying potential risk areas for asthma exacerbation and informing patients about preventing exposure to them in all places and times are an appropriate and effective approach in managing the disease in the long-run. For this reason, specialists consider that the design, development, and promotion of asthma management programs are vital to controlling asthmatic exacerbations. Today, with the development of information technology tools and influence web geography information system in health area, the design of managing programs for controlling asthma has undergone fundamental changes by removing spatial and temporal constraints. The tool is available at any location and time and provides appropriate information about the living environment of patients and useful information about the role of air pollution factors in allergic asthma exacerbations. Study area: The study area is Tehran city in the article. We collected required data from patients with asthmatic exacerbations referring to one of the pulmonary hospitals (1702 asthmatic patients) in the city. The air pollutants data also were prepared from pollutant stations in Tehran. In two databases were merged in a unique geographical database. Materials & Methods: In this study, we have developed an asthma management system based on air pollution using tree-based classification. Our research process includes four main steps. Firstly, required data is collected and prepared in a geographical database as spatial data. Then with the help of tree-based classification algorithm, predictive model of asthmatic exacerbations is made in Rstudio and its performance is assessed. Then with help of if-then rules of the model, it was prepared a toolbox in ArcGIS to reproduced maps of the prediction daily, because the conditions for air pollution factors change on a daily basis, and it is necessary for these maps to be updated continuously. In the final step, it was published these maps to the users in the Web, which will be realized with the help of ArcGIS Server tools. Patients can view these maps through ArcGIS Online (via the browsers of desktop and mobile devices). Results & Discussion: In this study, we have developed a tool based on decision tree algorithm integrated spatial data with accuracy 82% and the web-based geographic information system to provide daily maps of the occurrence of asthma exacerbations based on air pollution to alert patients about potentially dangerous areas and places which asthma exacerbates. This tool, which is available on browsers of both of web and smartphones platforms, improves patient adherence to asthma management programs and significantly raises their awareness about of an environmental-related disease. With the help of these maps, they will have a powerful self-management tool that can decide whether or not they will be present in these areas. Conclusion: Our asthma management system provides the useful and valuable map for users with asthma. Patients could use this tool in every place and every time without any limitation.  Our system improves adherence ‘s patients to asthma management plans Compared with traditional and paper-based tools. Patients inform about surrounding environment continually with the practical system to avoid places that are hazardous to their health. Therefore, we provide a suitable environment for users with help of various tools Arc GIS that is available for all users without extra cost. These maps are easy to understand and users can easily use it with a low level of literacy.