RespirHome: Comprehensive Asthma and COPD Management from Detection to Follow-up

BreathHome is a respiratory chronic disease management service platform primarily designed for patients with asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). By leveraging its independently developed “first-of-its-kind in China” portable smart lung health monitor, mobile applications, BreathHome Health Cloud, and remote physician support, the platform provides users with comprehensive chronic disease management services encompassing testing, analysis, early warning, consultation, and follow-up care. This holistic approach helps patients better manage their conditions, improve their quality of life, and ultimately achieve complete disease control. BreathHome aims to establish itself as the most professional and comprehensive respiratory chronic disease management platform in China, using this foundation to expand into the broader field of respiratory health.

According to the Report on Nutrition and Chronic Disease Status of Chinese Residents (2015), in 2012, the mortality rate of chronic respiratory diseases in China was 68 per 100,000 people, ranking as the third leading cause of death from chronic diseases among Chinese residents. Among these, there were approximately 50 million patients with COPD (Note 1) and about 30 million patients with asthma (Note 2). However, the diagnosis rate for chronic respiratory diseases in China was less than 35%. Compared with other chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases have received significantly less attention, and the situation regarding their prevention and control remains extremely severe.

Taking asthma management as an example, at the 14th “World Asthma Day,” Academician Zhong Nanshan, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease and former Director of the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, stated that the status of asthma control in China is alarming, with fewer than 3% of patients achieving good control. The two primary reasons for poor asthma control are low awareness rates and low control rates.

Currently, the prevalence of asthma-related knowledge in China is low. Many individuals suffer from asthma but do not exhibit typical symptoms; for instance, some experience coughing and often mistake it for a minor ailment that does not require treatment, when in fact it may frequently be “cough-variant asthma.”

Moreover, during the long-term management following an asthma diagnosis, patients often fail to achieve adequate self-management.

On one hand, many patients do not adhere to standardized medication regimens, mistakenly believing that the absence of wheezing indicates adequate control. In reality, airway inflammation remains uncontrolled, making them highly susceptible to asthma exacerbations upon exposure to respiratory irritants. On the other hand, due to the lack of convenient out-of-hospital monitoring devices at present, asthma patients often rely on subjective self-assessment to judge disease severity, failing to accurately understand their symptoms and respond effectively. Traditional peak flow meters can only measure Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF). However, a comprehensive assessment of a patient’s condition requires considering the ratio of measured PEF to the personal best PEF (Note 4), as well as the diurnal variability of PEF.

Against this backdrop, Huxijia independently developed the “first portable smart lung health monitor in China,” enabling patients with respiratory diseases to measure their peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) anytime and anywhere. The device’s communication module automatically stores the measurement data on the Huxijia Health Cloud, where cloud-based algorithms assess the patient’s lung health status and predict risks over a specified future period. Results are synchronized to companion mobile platforms (APP and WeChat) and the physician portal, building a bridge for patient–physician communication and providing end-to-end management services to help users effectively control respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD.

1. Smart Detection Terminal: As previously mentioned, patients often have insufficient awareness of conditions such as asthma and COPD, along with poor monitoring capabilities. The Hujia Smart Lung Health Monitor enables precise measurement of Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1). With an error rate controlled within 2%—significantly lower than the 10% international standard—the device’s precision and algorithms reach world-leading standards. This helps users understand their condition and take timely action to prevent deterioration. Surveys indicate that effective self-monitoring and management can reduce acute exacerbations and hospitalization rates by one-third to two-thirds. (Note 5)
   




2. Full-Cycle Management Service via Mobile App: Following daily monitoring, test results are synchronized to the cloud, allowing both patients and physicians to view Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) measurements and symptom records through the app. Users can monitor their health status, receive weekly symptom control reports, and obtain early warnings when symptoms are impending or persistently worsening, thereby enabling timely interventions to prevent acute exacerbations of respiratory diseases such as asthma. Meanwhile, online physicians can review these records to assess patient conditions, conduct regular follow-ups, and effectively help patients understand their disease status and respond appropriately.
   




3. Currently, Huxijia has established its own physician service team, with dedicated respiratory specialists providing consultations. The platform will soon open physician registration channels. Guided by patients’ medical needs and their diagnostic data, respiratory physicians will join the platform to offer clinical services. Leveraging the Huxijia Cloud Health Platform, we aim to build an efficient communication bridge between physicians and patients.




4. Patient Community and Family Support. Through the Respiratory Home Patient Community and Family Support, we help patients build confidence in fighting their conditions.

Introduction to the Core Team of Huxijia

Wen Yulong – CEO. Co-founder of a well-known tech company in Guangzhou (now acquired), where he served as Chief Technology Officer. He has 13 years of experience in the internet industry, having led two major projects: 360 Kids’ Smartwatch and LifeWatch ($400 million/year).

Huang Suijie – COO. Holds a master’s degree in Enterprise Informationization from Beihang University and studied at ESTACA in France. With eight years of industry experience, he once acquired 1.2 million app users within a year. Previously worked at Accenture and IBM.

Yu Yingying - CMO. Majoring in Bioengineering at Wuhan Polytechnic University. With 12 years of experience in pharmaceutical sales, she has held positions including Sales Representative, Product Manager, Operations Manager, and Key Account Manager. Previously employed at TopGene and Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals.

Note 1: Data source: COPD cross-sectional survey

Note 2: Data sourced from surveys conducted by the World Health Organization

Note 3: Data source: Report on the Nutrition and Chronic Disease Status of Chinese Residents (2015)

Note 4: The optimal PEF value requires calculation of the target healthy value for each individual based on age, height, weight, and sex.

Note 5: Refer to the "2015 GINA Guidelines"

(Article content provided by Huxijia)