A Karnataka-based startup has developed Shwaasa, an artificial intelligence-powered mobile application designed to strengthen respiratory disease screening in primary healthcare. After conducting a validation study, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi (AIIMS-Delhi) confirmed that the tool could help bridge a critical diagnostic gap in India’s healthcare system.
AIIMS Validates the Technology
AIIMS-Delhi carried out a validation study on 460 individuals at its Ballabhgarh unit last year. Researchers compared the app’s results with spirometry, the gold standard for lung function testing.
The findings showed moderate overall correlation with spirometry and strong agreement in severe cases. The study, which is currently being prepared for publication, demonstrated that the app performs reliably in identifying respiratory abnormalities.
How the App Works
As reported by TOI, the app operates through a simple, user-friendly process. First, the patient coughs into a smartphone. Then, the device’s microphone records the sound, and the embedded AI algorithm analyses it instantly. Within minutes, the application indicates whether the lungs appear normal or show signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma.
The tool achieves about 90% accuracy in distinguishing normal from abnormal cases. Furthermore, it identifies specific conditions such as COPD and asthma with an accuracy ranging from 82% to 87%. The app delivers a diagnostic output within eight minutes.
Addressing Limited Access to Spirometry
COPD ranks as the second leading cause of morbidity in India. However, spirometry remains unavailable in most district hospitals and primary health centres. According to Dr Harshal Ramesh Salve of AIIMS, many district hospitals lack spirometry facilities, which are largely confined to medical colleges.
Unlike spirometry, the Shwaasa app does not require specialised training or elaborate equipment. Consequently, healthcare providers can use it easily in resource-limited settings, making it particularly valuable for primary and secondary healthcare facilities.
Recommended for Primary and Secondary Care
AIIMS doctors have recommended deploying the app in facilities where spirometry is not available, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. While experts clarify that the app will not replace spirometry at tertiary centres such as AIIMS, they believe it can function as an effective community-level screening tool.
Dr Salve noted that the application is user-friendly, quick, and requires minimal setup, allowing doctors to use it conveniently at their desks.
Expanding Scope and Future Plans
In addition to COPD screening, AIIMS is evaluating the app’s potential role in tuberculosis detection as part of a separate research project.
Meanwhile, healthcare providers have already introduced the tool in certain states, including Karnataka. Authorities now plan to expand its use in Faridabad by engaging private practitioners and systematically documenting real-world outcomes.