https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7544-4499
Figures
Abstract
Background
Portable breath ketone sensors may help people with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) avoid episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis; however, the design features preferred by users have not been studied. We aimed to elucidate breath sensor design preferences of young people with T1DM (age 12 to 16) and their parents to inform the development of a breath ketone sensor prototype that would best suit their diabetes management needs.
Research designs and methods
To elicit foundational experiences from which design preference ideas could be generated, two commercially available breath ketone sensors, designed for ketogenic diet monitoring, were explored over one week by ten young people with T1DM. Participants interacted with the breath ketone sensing devices, and undertook blood ketone testing, at least twice daily for five days to simulate use within a real life and ambulatory care setting. Semi-structured interviews were conducted post-testing with the ten young participants and their caregivers (n = 10) to elicit preferences related to breath sensor design and use, and to inform the co-design of a breath ketone sensor prototype for use in T1DM self-management. We triangulated our data collection with key informant interviews with two diabetes educators working in pediatric care about their perspectives related to young people using breath ketone sensors.
Results
Participants acknowledged the non-invasiveness of breath sensors as compared to blood testing. Affordability, reliability and accuracy were identified as prerequisites for breath ketone sensors used for diabetes management. Design features valued by young people included portability, ease of use, sustainability, readability and suitability for use in public. The time required to use breath sensors was similar to that for blood testing. The requirement to maintain a 10-second breath exhalation posed a challenge for users. Diabetes educators highlighted the ease of use of breath devices especially for young people who tended to under-test using blood ketone strips.
Citation: Brew-Sam N, Desborough J, Parkinson A, Murugappan K, Daskalaki E, Brown E, et al. (2022) A user preference analysis of commercial breath ketone sensors to inform the development of portable breath ketone sensors for diabetes management in young people. PLoS ONE 17(7): e0269925. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269925
Editor: Clive J. Petry, University of Cambridge, UNITED KINGDOM
Received: November 18, 2021; Accepted: May 31, 2022; Published: July 25, 2022
Copyright: © 2022 Brew-Sam et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Data Availability: The data repository can be accessed through the link https://doi.org/10.25911/hxk7-c843.
Funding: This research was funded by and has been delivered in partnership with Our Health in Our Hands (OHIOH), a strategic initiative of the Australian National University, which aims to transform healthcare by developing new personalized health technologies and solutions in collaboration with patients, clinicians, and health care providers. Moreover, this work was supported by a postdoc fellowship of the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD (NBS). AT gratefully acknowledges the support of the Australian Research Council for a Future Fellowship (FT200100939) and Discovery grant (DP190101864). AT also acknowledges financial support from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Science for Peace and Security Programme project AMOXES (#G5634). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Competing interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
Abbreviations: DKA, Diabetic Ketoacidosis; T1DM, Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Introduction
Managing Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) during childhood and adolescence is challenging for young people, their families and caregivers [1,2]. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a common complication of T1DM, with an annual risk per person of 1–10% in children with established diabetes [3,4]. DKA is a medical emergency with a high fatality rate if not treated early [5]. This is why persons with T1DM are advised to monitor their blood ketone levels if unwell or if they have elevated blood glucose levels.
Ketosis develops as a consequence of food deprivation due to mild fasting such as carbohydrate restriction in ketogenic diets or in response to endurance exercise, or due to starvation [6]. Due to low availability of carbohydrate as an energy source, fatty acids are released from adipose stores as an alternative energy supply. The liver produces ketone bodies from fatty acids, including β-hydroxybutyrate, acetoacetate and acetone, with the latter released into breath [6,7]. In T1DM, in which severe deficiencies of insulin can occur, this process of lipolysis and ketogenesis can be uncontrolled resulting in DKA, usually in association with severe hyperglycemia [5,7].
Studies have found a significant relationship between the blood ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate and breath acetone exhaled during respiration in adults [7–11], and to some extent in young people [12,13], including responses to ketogenic diets and during episodes of DKA. Thus, the measurement of the breath acetone concentration provides a non-invasive method to measure the level of ketosis [8] (Table 1), and if developed and validated for use in T1DM could help in prevention of severe DKA through early detection [10]. Non-invasive technologies are of particular interest for young patient groups, with studies reporting more fear and pain related to finger pricking and injections among younger children [14,15] and adolescents [16].
Development of sensing technologies to detect breath acetone for diabetes management is underway [17], but there are no portable breath ketone sensors that are marketed for diabetes yet, in particular for young persons with T1DM. Currently, commercial breath ketone sensors designed for purposes such as monitoring a ketogenic diet for weight loss [8] or endurance performance [18], for use in adults only, are available. Breath acetone has been described as a good indicator of ketosis in people on ketogenic diets [19]. Breath ketone sensors developed to manage a ketogenic diet can serve as a starting point or prompt to understand the value and design preferences of breath ketone sensors for T1DM management in young people.
To date, there are no published studies about user preferences regarding diabetes-specific breath ketone sensors for young people with T1DM, even though user preference and usability evaluation is typically applied in the early design of technology [20]. We aimed to elucidate breath analysis and design preferences associated with breath ketone sensors from the perspectives of young people with T1DM aged 12–16 years and their caregivers, to inform the development of a co-designed breath ketone sensor prototype for diabetes management. We triangulated our analysis with data from key informant interviews with professional diabetes educators on breath ketone sensor use in young people with T1DM.
Methods
Study design
We employed a user preference analysis with young people living with T1DM and their caregivers. User preference analysis has previously been used with diverse (qualitative and quantitative) methods and on various diabetes technologies [21,22]. We chose a qualitative approach based on semi-structured user interviews. With no breath ketone sensor for diabetes management on the market, nor specific devices designed for young people, we used generic commercially available breath ketone sensors as a starting point in order to generate some experience with this type of device, to enable participants to provide their design preferences for a diabetes-specific breath ketone sensor for young people. Due to the inductive, qualitative nature of the research, it was possible to use devices designed for a different target group and purpose. We aimed to use the devices to elicit feedback only, in order to collect data on preferences regarding the potential for breath analysis and device design in young people. This research project–focused on user preferences–did not assess the accuracy, precision or sensitivity of the included devices.
Our young study participants living with diabetes reported no previous experiences with breath devices for diabetes management. Thus, we followed an approach similar to a usability testing method [23,24], but with an ultimate focus on user preferences. In line with usability testing procedures [23], we (a) delivered an explanation of the study procedures with instructions to the invited participants, (b) gave the participants the opportunity to interact with the commercial breath ketone devices over five days in order to explore breath ketone measurements in contrast to blood measurements, as well as features and design of breath ketone devices, (c) collected breath and blood data, notes and comments from the participants regarding the device interactions, and finally (d) assessed the user experience and user preferences in semi-structured online or telephone interviews.
In contrast to traditional UX usability testing procedures, we did not use observation during the user-device interaction as our focus was mainly on user preference outcomes, which were assessed using interviews after completion of the device interaction/testing period. Furthermore, we deliberately did not take a traditional UX usability testing approach because the young people needed to test the devices at home over a period of time, with the ability to compare breath with blood ketone testing, to be able to provide detailed feedback. A one-time usability testing session was considered inappropriate to explore the device functionalities and to find out how the devices work in parallel to blood-testing. Therefore, we opted for a 5-day home testing approach with post-test interviews (further details in data collection section).
Pre-selection of commercial devices and development of study protocols
Four different commercially available breath ketone sensors used to assist people on a ketogenic diet were shortlisted based on availability during COVID-19, cost, and functioning/reviews: House of Keto Monitor [25], Ketonix [26], KetoPro KHC M3 by Keto Health Care [27], and Keyto Breath Sensor [28] (Table 2).
Four young people with T1DM, who are part of our research team in our consumer-focused research program (two male and two female), pre-tested these sensors at home for two to three weeks and provided detailed oral and written feedback in discussions. Based on their feedback, KetoPro and House of Keto Monitor sensors were assessed to be most suitable for further testing with study participants. Keyto and Ketonix devices were excluded because Keyto required an app to operate the device, increasing complexity for use. The study focus was on breath ketone sensors rather than on additional connected devices. Ketonix did not report numerical readings. Device testing instructions (S1 Appendix) and a structured interview protocol (S2 Appendix) were developed based on the pre-testing of the devices and the feedback provided by our young research team members, our clinical team members (endocrinologists), our previous studies about experiences with diabetes technologies [32,33], and breath sensor literature [17,34]. In terms of user preferences, the focus of the interview guide was on both actual functioning and potential functioning of the sensors (improvements and potential additional features). The whole research team refined the instructions and interview guide continuously in the process of study preparation.
Recruitment
Ten young people with T1DM who attended the Endocrinology Department of Canberra Hospital and had participated in a previous study with our research team, were invited, and agreed, to test one of the two selected sensors at their homes (KetoPro n = 4; House of Keto Monitor n = 6). As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, all studies were conducted in a contactless manner.
Data collection and analysis
The breath ketone sensors were posted to each of the ten participants in June/July 2020, together with test strips for five days of blood ketone and blood glucose measurements (twice daily). Following the four described steps [23], device testing instructions (Appendix 1) were provided through a telephone or video call and in written form together with a spreadsheet to record testing results. During the five-day testing period, participants interacted with the devices at least twice daily to reasonably simulate real-life testing [11]. T1DM ketone testing is suggested at least twice daily to consider variability of ketone levels. In line with this simulation of a real-life scenario to prompt feedback, breath ketone, blood ketone and blood glucose measures were taken in parallel before breakfast and after school but before eating, as ketone readings could be expected to be higher after a period of fasting in a real-life scenario. We did not aim to reach conclusions about the commercial devices’ (in)accuracy with breath and blood measurements taken throughout the testing period, as the devices were not designed for the purpose we used them for, and none of the participants were unwell with DKA through the testing period. We wanted to make the testing as realistic as possible to prompt respective feedback. Thus, the purpose of the breath-blood testing was not to evaluate device accuracy, but to trigger feedback about breath device usage in contrast to blood testing.
Following the user-device interaction, online video- or telephone-interviews were conducted by the first author (NBS, PhD, health experience researcher) with participants accompanied by their parents to elucidate their breath device preferences based on the experiences with the use of the commercial breath ketone devices. Interviews with young people lasted between 20–30 minutes.
The use of the commercial devices gave the young people a sense of what a breath sensor device can deliver and how it works. In this way, the use of the commercial devices triggered feedback which offered insights to inform the development of a breath device specifically designed for diabetes management. We triangulated the feedback from young people and their caregivers with key informant, online video interviews with two diabetes educators working in pediatric care (20–30 minutes duration) [35]. The short semi-structured interview protocol used for the key informant interviews focused on information about ketone testing in young patients from a healthcare professional perspective, previous experiences with breath analysis, and expectations associated with breath sensors for the use by young people with T1DM (S3 Appendix).
All post-test interviews with young people and interviews with diabetes educators were audio-recorded and professionally transcribed. We used thematic analysis to analyse the de-identified transcripts (in NVIVO). Thematic analysis was conducted in accordance with the methods recommended by Braun and Clarke [36], consisting of 1) data familiarization (NBS, AP, JD), 2) initial code generations (NBS, AP), 3) themes search (NBS), 4) themes review (NBS, JD, AP), 5) themes naming and definitions (NBS, JD, AP) and 6) report production (all authors). The blood and breath measurements were compared using Excel.
User preferences/usability (NBS, CP, JD): The summary of findings about preferences and ideal features as described by the participants enabled the compilation of a list of preferred breath sensor characteristics to inform the development of co-designed breath ketone sensor prototypes for diabetes management.
Ethical approval for the study was obtained by the Australian National University’s Human Ethics Committee and ACT Health Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC, Australia) in April/May 2020 (2019.ETH.00143; 2019/ETH12170). The study participation was based on informed consent (written, signed consent form). For minors, written consent was signed by a parent/guardian. We followed the COREQ checklist for qualitative research reporting (S4 Appendix).
We demonstrated trustworthiness through applying Lincoln and Guba’s [37] criteria: credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. Credibility was established through multidisciplinary investigator collaboration of health care practitioners (CP, CJN), computer scientists (HS, ED), engineers (KM, AT), health services researchers (NBS, JD, AP) and young people living with type 1 diabetes and their parents (EB, HE, LP, KH, KB, EP, GE). While we cannot guarantee the transferability of the study findings to all breath ketone sensor devices, we believe the preferences expressed by the young participants in our study are important to consider in future development of breath ketone sensor devices. To demonstrate dependability, all raw data and transcripts were retained, and notes were taken from team meetings to provide an audit trail. Confirmability of the findings was established through repeated readings of, and familiarization with the transcripts, team meetings to discuss the analysis, including confirmation of the initial coding tree and subsequent themes derived from the data, and the relevance of these themes to the study aims.
Results
Sample description
All participants (Table 3) finished the minimum of five days breath and blood testing twice per day and participated in online video or telephone interviews. One person only provided four days’ test results, despite participating for five days.
Baseline data
No participant had previously used a breath ketone sensor or any other breath device for their diabetes management. Reasons cited by six participants included not being aware that breath ketone measurements were possible (data excerpts in Table 4), that there was no opportunity or no device available prior to our study (three participants), or that there was no perceived need for breath analysis. All participants said they had previously used blood ketone tests when they were either sick, had very high blood glucose over a period of time such as extended values over 15 mmol/L, or did not know why the blood glucose was high, or why the insulin was not effective. One participant mentioned blood ketone testing as a "backup" option. Overall, blood ketone testing was infrequently used by participants and only in particular circumstances such as those described above, compared to regular blood glucose testing.
General assessment
Due to the similarities reported by the participants for both tested devices, we do not report the results for each individual device, but summarize the results for both devices. We were not interested in one specific tested device (brand) but rather in user preferences regarding breath ketone sensors as perceived by young people in general. Similar to previous studies with a comparable approach to device selection [38,39], we limited the testing to a small number of devices, based on device availability, similarity, and the described device pre-selection (instead of testing a larger number of devices).
Overall, all participants said that breath ketone sensors must be accurate and reliable and all but three participants reported they would choose breath over blood if that choice was available and if breath sensors were approved and accurate.
The two diabetes educators confirmed the usefulness of the sensors, especially as blood ketone testing by their patients was being followed less frequently than recommendations, impacted by the price and availability of ketone strips. Breath ketone sensors were expected to be very valuable for insulin pump users as pump users "can develop ketones far more quickly" (#A) compared to individuals on multiple daily injection regimens. One general challenge mentioned by the nurse educators related to people with T1DM who choose to follow a ketogenic diet. According to them, such a diet generally was reported to impact ketone readings and was perceived as unsafe for youth with T1DM (also see Bolla et al., 2019 [40]), thus this group requires particular attention.
Measurement accuracy
The study assessed device accuracy expectations as reported by the ten participants. As expected, based on the simulation study setup (devices with different purpose of use), breath readings mostly displayed no (interpretable) results as shown in Appendix 5. All participants were informed about this study setup and did not expect high readings. Despite this, accuracy expectations were reported to be the major obstacle to breath ketone sensor use. Some participants questioned if the breath ketone sensors were working, especially when a zero reading was repeatedly shown after breath tests as reported by six young people (S5 Appendix). Participants were unsure about device reliability and questioned its trustworthiness. One young person wondered if toothpaste or other substances that included alcohol such as mouth wash might affect readings. Another participant questioned whether the way of breathing into the device, such as interrupted breathing, affected device readings. Breath sensor accuracy concerns expressed by two participants led them to favor blood tests over breath tests, while another said they would generally prefer blood tests. One participant mentioned that they wanted to avoid additional devices as the blood meter measured both ketone and glucose levels.
Accuracy was confirmed to be one of the most crucial preconditions for the breath sensors by the diabetes educators.
Breath ketone device set up and performance
Device set-up was considered to be easy and fast to complete by one young person. Instructions to use the breath ketone sensors were criticised as being too simplified, and only available in English language. The instructions did not deliver information about how to buy extra mouthpieces or how often to change mouthpieces for the House of Keto Monitor, while the KetoPro recommended mouthpieces be changed after 10–15 uses to avoid incorrect readings. Five participants washed or sanitized mouthpieces for reuse, two used only one mouthpiece throughout, while one felt uncomfortable reusing them. KetoPro provided six initial mouthpieces, while House of Keto Monitor provided four, which was felt to be too few by one participant. Mouthpieces kept falling off in one case. Overall, clear information was missing about how to use mouthpieces, or how to breathe into the devices.
Information about the device manufacturers was considered insufficient by some participants, with no clear provision of company website addresses highlighted by one person. One participant suggested that a breath ketone sensor for diabetes management would need a clear indication that it is a medical device. Trademarks or TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) approval were perceived as important for breath ketones sensors for use in diabetes management.
The devices showed results immediately after testing. Only one participant had problems with incorrect signals, as the light that indicated the sensor was ready for use did not work properly.
In general, it was estimated that a breath test took approximately the same time as a blood test. Device warm-up time was reported to be 10–20 seconds, with 20 seconds being perceived as too long by one participant. More concerning was that the devices required a breath of ten seconds to achieve a test result as indicated in the device breathing instructions, which was challenging for six participants. One participant suggested that the user should not have to actively breathe into the breath sensor but just count out loud close to the device similar to advanced alcohol testing devices. Similar to the young participants, one diabetes educator highlighted potential breathing difficulties in children with a breath device.
Sensor size and shape
Young people did not anticipate carrying breath ketone sensors all the time; one participant described carrying them as "awkward". One parent mentioned that their child had one blood ketone meter stored at home and one at school to avoid having to carry the device with them. The breath sensors could fit into the diabetes pencil case carrier due to their compact design, a feature described favorably by three participants (Fig 1). Half of the participants advocated for a smaller device size; yet three participants pointed out that it might be difficult to hold the device if it was too small. Breath sensor shapes were perceived as comfortable, like "a good handle" shape with finger grips (House of Keto Monitor, Fig 1) being described as convenient by two participants.
Note. The size of the required AA batteries displays the sensor sizes in the images of unassembled sensors.
One diabetes educator pointed out that the ease of portability of a breath ketone sensor was a critical determinant of use.
Sensor battery
There were no issues with battery life within the short time span of testing. Both devices required batteries, which were not provided, while subsequent sensor versions provided options for USB charging (e.g., Ketonix).
Device result display
All participants emphasized the importance of displaying the actual ketone values instead of seeing a level range or a traffic light result (green, orange, red light). Half of the participants thought a traffic light display may be a useful addition to evaluate the result quickly. One parent said that simplicity was not an issue with most young people being "tech savvy". The fact that the breath sensor user could not see the screen while breathing, and thus did not know when to stop was considered problematic by one person. Additional sound was suggested to help with the timings by another. Another commented that the readings disappeared too fast from the screen.
Device customization
Six participants especially liked the idea of being able to customize the breath ketone sensors, for example being able to choose its color. One person suggested customized device "skins".
Data recording and sharing
Opinions diverged regarding data recording and sharing. Three participants thought data recording was not necessary because the ketone testing was just referring the user to further health behavior action, for example with the insulin pump, in a particular moment and not on a continual basis. Seven participants thought it would be good to see previous records, especially to be able to show them to their healthcare professionals. All but two participants thought that sharing ketone results with the doctor was beneficial in order to provide the doctor with the "bigger picture", even if it was just available in the form of a download option. Ketone data sharing with others (e.g., caregivers) was wished for "if someone wasn’t home with the child", and for assistance of the young person, as expressed by parents.
App connectivity
Half of the participants expressed interest in having the breath sensor connected to an app. An app was perceived as a potential source of information regarding implications of the measured levels, could be used for record keeping, to give an overview of trends, and to enable checking. The other half thought an app was unnecessary or a "hassle" and preferred to have the history log in the breath sensor device itself. Two participants mentioned that it would be good to have app connectivity as an option as opinions differed in this regard. Overall, the preference was for the breath ketone sensor to be an autonomous device, with the additional option of app connection.
Graphical outputs
Graphical outputs did not make sense for two participants who were only interested in actual values. The fact that ketones were only measured in certain circumstances rendered moot the benefits of trend mapping or graphical outputs (highlighted by three). Two others thought graphical outputs might be a good option for people who test for ketones often.
Perceived advantages of breath devices
Advantages of the breath sensor over the blood meter were its non-invasiveness, avoiding the pain and messiness of finger-pricking, as pointed out by almost all participants. This was seen as especially beneficial for younger children. Moreover, all but one participant mentioned the convenience of the breath sensor, while three mentioned the clean procedure and another three the compact design without additional required parts. This also supported the suitability for use in remote areas or when traveling when finger pricking was difficult due to hygiene requirements. Three participants also highlighted the improved convenience at school with easy, quick and discreet use of the breath sensor.
Sustainability of the breath sensors was considered an advantage by three young people, with less waste produced such as used test strips. Breath sensor maintenance was perceived as more convenient than blood device maintenance, due to not having to have a personal stash of spare test strips, given cost, relatively short expiry dates, and the haphazard commercial availability of ketone strips.
Diabetes educators emphasized that a breath ketone device made life simpler for young people with diabetes. The device could solve the cost and sometimes unreliable stock availability of ketone strips at pharmacies.
Perceived impact on testing routine
Six participants predicted that they would test for ketones more frequently if they had a breath sensor because it did not require finger pricking and avoided the use of costly ketone strips. Three participants expected that having a breath sensor would not change their current daily routine.
Both diabetes educators expected that a breath testing method would facilitate more frequent testing which was highly appreciated by healthcare professionals.
To conclude, Table 5 summarizes preferred characteristics of breath ketone sensors for diabetes management as mentioned by our young participants.
Discussion
Our findings highlight the potential, but also specific challenges, of breath ketone sensors for diabetes management in young people. The non-invasiveness of breath sensors is an advantage over other diabetes devices which cause discomfort [32]. With empirical data from a user preference evaluation among young people, our study adds to existing commentary which has outlined the challenges associated with the realization of breath sensors in clinical practice [41], including breath marker selection, breath sampling, sensitivity, stability, and selectivity requirements, portable device integration, user communication, and clinical applicability.
Our results highlight the importance of providing specific information about how to breathe into the devices, as this might affect the readings. Most breath sensors rely on users emptying their lungs thereby allowing measurement of acetone in "late expiratory breath" [42], which gives a more accurate reading relative to ketones in blood [43]. This breath sampling method is crucial as it allows measurement of alveolar air, which is the portion that takes part in gas exchange with blood in the pulmonary capillaries [44]. Other studies suggest a short breath hold prior to delivery of the breath sample in order to provide a more repeatable sample [45], or rebreathing techniques [46]. The interpretation of a breath acetone measurement can be confounded by the exhaled air volume and breathing pattern [47], therefore breathing instructions must be specific and manageable. Our results have shown that the required breath length can be challenging for young users.
Implications for breath ketone sensor development for use in diabetes management
Incorporating the voices of consumers into medical device design is a key feature of all contemporary medical device design pathways, but barriers to doing this openly and productively remain [48]. Van der Panne et al. note that users may not be skilled in the ability to envision innovation, with a cognitive bias to similarity or incremental adaption [49]. Device designers may suffer from insufficient organizational support to engage with users, or experience in adapting user advice to incorporate device designers [50]. This is particularly the case for products that have users who are dissimilar in socio-economic background and group to the designers [51].
Our study provides a case study in engaging with young people to provide feedback at a very early stage in product development (breath ketone device prototype for diabetes management in young people). All of our participants were 16 years and younger. The initial stage of sensor selection was performed by other young people with TIDM, who are fellow researchers in our consumer-focused research program. The ten young people who tested the devices were familiar with personalized measuring devices, and highly familiar with technological solutions. The existence of a “like” device (non-medical breath ketone devices) provided an opportunity to road test features which are valuable for a diabetes-specific breath ketone sensor for young people with T1DM, and to engage with their own views to emphasize valued elements. It is worth noting that the more tech-enhanced devices (those requiring an app or converting data into visual codes or trends) were relatively undervalued attributes by young users. They placed more emphasis on functionality (portability, ease of use and readability) and noted that aesthetics (having a customizable appearance) and being unobtrusive were also important. The latter should not be surprising for young people with a condition which declares itself every time they have to give themselves an insulin injection in public.
Our study demonstrates that co-design approaches that actively involve patients and healthcare professionals can be used at all stages of device design and development [32,48]. Our study findings helped refine the initial design of a breath ketone sensor prototype by informing our engineering team colleagues about the preferred device characteristics reported by participants in this study. The involvement of people with lived diabetes experiences as research team members and consultants similar to our procedure is described in a US paper on patient engagement in diabetes care [52]; to our knowledge ours is the first to describe co-design with young people for breath devices.
Study limitations and future research
By its very nature, this qualitative study was small, but sufficient to obtain saturation in analysis. This was not an accuracy or reliability study of measurement by breath ketone sensors, and so was unable to deliver conclusions about the extent of breath sensor (in)accuracy in situations of ketosis or the repeatability of results. The selected breath sensors were not designed for diabetes management, varied in units and scales, and did not provide transparent information about threshold levels. Moreover, our testing was not performed in a clinical setting (testing for DKA), our participants were not sick (no risk of DKA), and were not on a ketogenic diet. A clinical study is necessary to assess specifically the accuracy of a breath ketone sensor designed for T1DM management in young people and, hence, whether it is suitable for ketone monitoring in T1DM. Anderson, Lamm, and Hlastala [47] point to the need for more research on blood-breath associations, keeping in mind that exhaled acetone measurements might underestimate blood levels.
Difficulties with breath acetone testing remain, and these need to be solved in order to be able to develop and design a device that can be reliably used for diabetes management in young people. Feedback received by potential users can help improve the device design and highlight aspects perceived as important by users, yet the measurement accuracy remains the most crucial precondition for device adoption. This is especially relevant for ketoacidosis management when device accuracy is fundamental for a patient’s well-being. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between breath acetone testing and dynamics during ketoacidosis (also see Anderson et al., 2021 [10]). Informed by this research, device engineers and designers will be able to develop user-friendly prototypes for performance testing in various clinical scenarios in which ketone testing is relevant in diabetes care (e.g., sick day management of T1DM, DKA diagnosis by school nurses, general practitioners, ambulance officers and emergency department staff, monitoring for DKA in type 2 diabetes and potentially T1DM users of sodium glucose transporter type 2 inhibitors).
Conclusion
Breath ketone sensors for diabetes management have potential to facilitate and improve ketone testing in young people. Our study affirms the key features that drive usability of a breath ketone sensor among young people, and provides a model of user preference assessment among young users. The user experiences with available commercial breath sensors for a ketogenic diet can inform and improve the development of co-designed diabetes-specific breath ketone sensors.
Supporting information
S1 Appendix. Sensor testing instructions final.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269925.s001
(DOCX)
S2 Appendix. Interview guide after sensor testing 080720.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269925.s002
(DOCX)
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the support of the Canberra Health Services Paediatric Diabetes Service.
Ethics approval
Ethical approval for the study was obtained by the Australian National University’s Human Research Ethics Committee and ACT Health Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC, Australia) in April/May 2020 (2019.ETH.00143; 2019/ETH12170). The study participation was based on informed consent (written, signed consent form). For minors, written consent was signed by a parent/guardian.
Patient consent
The study participation was based on informed consent. All participants signed a consent form. For minors, written consent was signed by a parent/guardian.
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