Session Information
Date: Sunday, November 13, 2016
Title: Rheumatoid Arthritis – Clinical Aspects - Poster I: Clinical Characteristics/Presentation/Prognosis
Session Type: ACR Poster Session A
Session Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM
Background/Purpose: Within the MiDEAR (Mobile medically supervised patient management in rheumatoid arthritis patients using DocuMed.rh and RheumaLive App) project patients (pts) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) evaluate the usability of a mobile medical Application (mApp) with diary functions over nine months. The mApp includes two computerized patient-reported outcome questionnaires: the Hannover Functional Questionnaire (FFbH) and a modified RA disease activity index questionnaire (RADAI). In addition, it allows pts to document morning stiffness, pain (visual analogue scale), incapacity to work and medication. We studied pts’ use of this kind of mApp outside of out-pts clinics, their satisfaction and the reported benefits in real-life settings.
Methods: Inclusion criteria were RA diagnosis, age of consent and German speaking. 268 consecutive RA out-pts (73.5% female) were screened, 157 (58.6%, 77.7% female) owned an App-able device. At baseline 60 out-pts consented to start the project. Pts downloaded the mApp on their own mobile device (either smartphone or TabletPC), documented their data voluntarily on not pre-specified intervals, and were followed on routine out-pts visits. During the out-pts visits pts evaluated the use, usability and feasibility of the mApp on paper-based questionnaires. Ethical approval and signed informed consents were obtained. The study is registered with the identifier NCT02565225 at clinicaltrials.gov.
Results: At baseline pts were predominantly female (78.3%), mean±SD age was 50.1±13.1 years (yrs), mean disease duration 10.5±9.1 yrs. 50% had a high education level. 90.0% already used Apps. 71.7% (n=43) remained in the project until the first follow-up. Reasons for discontinuation were fear of data theft (n=1), incompatible operating system (n=1), and other not App-related reasons (n=15). 97.7% (n=42) of the attending pts evaluated the mApp at first follow-up, n=39 had used the mApp at unspecific dates in between. Due to physical limitations (finger deformations) one patient reported problems to operate the mApp on a smartphone. Most pts (90.7%) rated mApp handling as easy. The average score of satisfaction with the mApp was 2.3±1.0 (Likert scale 1 (very satisfied) – 6 (very unsatisfied)) and the usefulness was 2.1±1.1 (Likert scale 1 (very useful) – 6 (not at all useful). Most pts (51.1%) stated that the mApp assisted them in an optimized self-monitoring of their disease. Better dealing with RA-related physical and medical needs due to App use was answered diversified with positive and negative responses.
Conclusion: At first follow-up the mApp use was feasible in the majority of the pts. mApp users were satisfied with the mApp and assessed its utility as useful for self-monitoring their disease apart from out-pts visits. mApps – powerful tools at our fingertips – open great options for new management concepts. The ongoing project will deliver further data.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Kampling C, Chehab G, Acar H, Becker A, Schneider M, Richter JG. Use, Usability and Feasibility of a Mapp for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis – First Results [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016; 68 (suppl 10). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/use-usability-and-feasibility-of-a-mapp-for-patients-with-rheumatoid-arthritis-first-results/. Accessed .« Back to 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/use-usability-and-feasibility-of-a-mapp-for-patients-with-rheumatoid-arthritis-first-results/