LungHealth and the NICE HTG10065 review (Digital technologies for applying algorithms to spirometry to support asthma and COPD diagnosis in primary care and community diagnostic centres)

LungHealth received a request for evidence as part of NICE’s assessment of algorithms applied to spirometry to support the diagnosis of lung conditions in primary care and community diagnostic centres.

The purpose of the LungHealth software is to provide an end-to-end holistic review of all aspects of the COPD and Asthma pathway inclusive of diagnostics, disease optimisation incorporating both pharmacological and non-pharmacological components as well as self-management. Furthermore, the diagnostic algorithms used in the LungHealth software involve the integration of the clinical history together with spirometry. This approach taken by LungHealth is based on guideline-based practice which requires that the diagnosis of COPD only be made by combining the clinical history with spirometry rather than using either in isolation.

During this review process, the NICE team recognises that the LungHealth software has functionality beyond the aspects assessed during the HTG10065 review. The functionality of LungHealth outlined above in terms of diagnostics in COPD and Asthma falls outside the scope of the current NICE HTG10065 review as detailed in section 2.1 of the review itself: The recommendations in this guidance do not apply to the technologies when used to support other aspects of the diagnostic, prognostic or care pathways for asthma and COPD that are out of scope for this assessment.