Theme: Clinical Research Year: 2022
Background:
In 2020, Scotland experienced 1339 drug-related deaths, the highest number since records began in
1996. Most drug related deaths are caused by opioid-induced respiratory depression. RESCU is an
ongoing mixed-methods observational cohort study aiming to investigate whether an accelerometer
sensor attached to the chest can accurately and reliably capture respiratory patterns of people who
use drugs to determine trigger points for an emergency response during an overdose.
The study aims to assess the acceptability of the device to people who use drugs and stakeholder
groups from the third sector support groups and first responders to create an intervention pathway.
The planned study duration is 12 months, from January 2022 to January 2023.
Methods:
Participants are recruited on a rolling basis from a needle exchange in the city centre of Dundee
(planned n=100). Participants receive a sensor and a gateway device to passively monitor their
breathing when in range of the device. Participants record their drug use and are monitored over a
period of four weeks, returning to the exchange weekly for data download.
Semi-structured interviews and focus groups are being conducted with participants who have
completed the study protocol (planned n=20) and stakeholder groups about the acceptability of the
device.
Results:
During February – April 2022, 36 participants had either completed or partially completed the study
protocol. Data was reviewed after running prototype apnoea detection and movement artefact
algorithms. 4,483 sleep apnoea episodes of >10s duration were detected at the highest level of
probability in 1,748 hours of respiratory data. Thematic analysis is ongoing. Further data and results
of the qualitative data analysis will be available by the time of the conference.
Conclusion:
Current data suggests that the device successfully captures respiratory anomalies. The future study
aim is to identify trigger points for an emergency response.
Disclosure of Interest Statement:
PneumoWave Limited donated the study equipment; however, the study is investigator initiated and
the company has no control over the data. KH is funded by an MRC iCASE studentship.
AR is in receipt of research grants from Abbvie, Roche, Camurus, Galapagos and Merck.
The remaining authors declare no conflicts of interest.