Digital biomarkers in non-communicable diseases

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Digital Health
• Precision Medicine

Background:

• Digital biomarkers, objective measures from digital tools, enable continuous health assessment.
• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a global health burden, necessitating innovative monitoring solutions.
• While some digital biomarkers show promise (e.g., continuous glucose monitoring), most are in early validation stages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in digital biomarkers for NCDs.
• To identify barriers to clinical implementation.
• To outline prerequisites for broader adoption and integration into healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Review of current digital biomarker applications in NCDs.
• Analysis of challenges hindering clinical translation.
• Identification of key requirements for successful implementation.

Main Results:

• Digital biomarkers face barriers including limited validation, lack of interoperability, and underdeveloped regulatory pathways.
• Equity concerns regarding infrastructure and access persist globally.
• Successful implementation requires rigorous validation, standardization, ethical frameworks, and patient empowerment.

Conclusions:

• Digital biomarkers hold significant potential for NCD prevention, diagnosis, and management.
• Overcoming implementation challenges is crucial for realizing this potential.
• Coordinated efforts are needed to transition from research to clinically validated, guideline-compatible tools.