Digital health applications are recognized as important tools for modern health care systems, and encouraging prospects for the use of mobile medical applications (Apps) have been described and reviewed. Digital equivalents (ePROMs) have been designed to support assessments of clinical and related problems as well as the effects of treatment. In rheumatology, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been recognized as key outcome measures and indispensable prerequisites for improving the quality of care. Registered on Septem(retrospectively registered). App use was convincing as a reliable option to perform continuous, remote monitoring of disease activity and treatment efficacy. We demonstrated the feasibility and acceptance of disease surveillance using a smartphone App in RA. Our study provides an essential basis for the broader implementation of medical Apps in routine care. Further App use was recommended in 77.3% of the patients, and according to physicians, in seven patients, the App use contributed to an increased adherence to therapy. Patients and physicians valued the App, i.e., for patient-physician interaction: 87% reported that it was easier for them to document the course of the disease using the App than “only” answering questions about their current health during routine outpatient visits. Patients' overall satisfaction with the App was 2.2 (0.9, Likert scale 1 to 6). After 3 months, the App retention rate was 71.7%. ePROMs’ scores obtained by patients’ data entry in the App were equivalent to paper-based ones and preferred by the patients. Mean confidence in Apps scored 3.5 (1.1, Likert scale 1 to 6). The equivalence of PROM data and user experiences from patients and physicians were evaluated. Between visits, patients used their App on their own smartphone according to their preferences.

Sixty participants recruited from 268 consecutive RA outpatients completed paper-based and electronic PROMs (Hannover Functional Questionnaire/derived HAQ modified RA disease activity index) using the App at baseline and follow-up visits. MethodsĪccurate PROM reporting via an App in comparison to paper-based versions was investigated to exclude media bias. Therefore, we performed a proof-of-concept study in which rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients used an App (RheumaLive) to document their disease. Prior to routine clinical application feasibility and acceptance of disease surveillance using an App that includes electronic (e) patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) warrant evaluation. Mobile medical applications (Apps) offer innovative solutions for patients’ self-monitoring and new patient management opportunities.

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