A study by researchers at Mount Sinai has shown that wearable devices like Apple Watches, Fitbits, and Oura Rings can predict flare-ups in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), potentially revolutionizing how this chronic condition is monitored and managed. Published in Gastroenterology, the research demonstrates how physiological data collected by these devices can provide early warning signs of worsening inflammation or symptoms, up to seven weeks before flare-ups occur.
“Current disease-monitoring methods rely on patients directly interacting with their doctors, through office visits, blood or stool tests, or colonoscopies,” said Robert Hirten, MD, clinical director of the Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Health at Mount Sinai.
“These methods only assess the disease at one point in time and can often be invasive or inconvenient. Our study shows that wearable devices offer a noninvasive and continuous way to monitor chronic inflammatory diseases like IBD.”
IBD, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, affects over 2.4 million people in the United States. In the study, more than 300 participants from 36 states wore wearable devices, completed daily symptom surveys, and provided blood and stool samples to assess inflammation.
Researchers observed that metrics like heart rate variability, heart rate, oxygenation, and daily activity patterns, measured by the devices, were significantly altered throughout periods of inflammation. During the flare ups, heart rate and resting heart rate were increased while the number of daily steps reduced.
Crucially, these metrics could detect intestinal inflammation even before symptoms appeared, distinguishing inflammation-driven symptoms from those caused by other factors.
The findings pave the way for wearable devices to play a central role in disease management, offering patients a real-time and less intrusive alternative to traditional methods. Beyond IBD, the researchers are expanding their work to apply similar approaches to other chronic inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. By incorporating artificial intelligence, the team is developing algorithms to use wearable device data for personalized flare-up predictions.
“These findings open the door to leveraging wearable technology for health monitoring and disease management in innovative ways,” said Hirten. “Our hope is that, in the future, this approach will significantly enhance the quality of life of our patients.”
This study marks a major step forward in integrating wearable technology into healthcare, providing a glimpse into a future where chronic diseases can be managed more proactively and effectively.
