Background Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive neurological autoimmune disease currently affecting 250,000 individuals in Germany. Patients suffering from the disease can be severely impaired in their day-to-day activities. BRISA is a digital app specifically designed to help MS patients monitor their disease by regularly tracking symptoms. Lengthy and time-consuming questionnaires for patient-reported outcomes (PRO) are the standard method to assess the patients’ current condition. Here, we examine whether simplified versions of these questionnaires can provide comparable information regarding individual symptom presentations in BRISA users. Methods 828 users were included in the analysis. Patients who provided onboarding information and answered at least one questionnaire and the corresponding simplified smiley symptoms assessment were included. Correlation of questionnaire and symptom scores was calculated using Pearson's correlation. Results Our analysis cohort predominantly consisted of female, 26–55-year-olds. Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) was the most common MS type recorded. Most patients were diagnosed 2–5 years ago. Questionnaires regarding fatigue and vision impairment were among the most answered, those regarding bowel movement and sexual satisfaction received fewest responses. Overall, the scores from questionnaires and symptoms correlated positively. Scoring correlation could also be shown across the subgroups divided by gender, age groups, type of MS, and time since diagnosis of the disease. Conclusion Scores recorded from traditional PRO questionnaires can be reflected more easily as a trend in a simplified scale using smileys. Nevertheless, traditional questionnaires are needed to also maintain a more objective assessment. In conclusion, the patient will benefit most from an adaptive combination of regular traditional PRO questionnaire assessments and simplified symptom recording.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive neurological autoimmune disease impacting quality of life. BRISA is an app designed to help MS patients in Germany track their disease course by symptom-monitoring. This study aimed to understand demographic and health-related characteristics of BRISA users. Methods: Demographic data provided by 2095 users were analyzed to describe characteristics such as sex, age, type of MS, and medication. The distribution of tracked symptoms based on age and time since diagnosis were studied. Furthermore, the covariance of specific symptom pairs was analyzed. Results: BRISA users are predominantly female and between 26 and 55 years old. Relapsing–remitting MS was the most prevalent form of MS. First-line category 1 drugs were most frequently used, followed by high-efficacy category 3 drugs (e.g., monoclonal antibodies). The relative frequencies of use of category 1 and category 2 drugs (e.g., spingosine-1-phosphate-receptor modulators) significantly altered with time since diagnosis. Fatigue, concentration disorders, tingling, forgetfulness, and pain were the top five symptoms affecting users. Conclusion: The results highlight the diversity among MS patients and the need for extensive cohort characterization in the real-world scenario. In-depth analysis could help in identifying novel insights that could aid in disease management.

Background The increasing prevalence of lifestyle-driven metabolic disorders poses a heavy burden on the healthcare system. Several low-cost, easily accessible, and effective weight loss interventions are being developed to improve this situation. Waya is one such German digital application that guides users to reach their desired weight in a healthy manner, by monitoring their eating habits and physical activity levels. In this retrospective real-world observational pilot study, we aimed to identify if the use of Waya helps in reducing weight as intended and the underlying factors associated with it. Methods Data from healthy overweight or obese participants who provided their weight information and answered the short form of the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire activity questionnaires once before the completion of the first module (baseline) were compared with data provided after the beginning of the last module. Age and sex-based distribution were studied and the correlation between nutrition, physical activity, and weight was analyzed. Results Waya participants showed an improvement in nutritional behavior, physical activity levels, and weight reduction compared with baseline. These changes were independent of age and sex. Weight loss mainly correlated with improvements in nutritional behavior but not physical activity. Conclusion The results from our pilot study showed that Waya is beneficial in bringing about short-term weight loss mainly through behavioral changes in nutrition. Although physical activity levels improved, its influence on weight loss was not apparent.

Background Rapid urbanization has led to an exponential increase in lifestyle-associated metabolic disorders presenting a huge socioeconomic burden. Waya is a digital prevention program that guides overweight and obese individuals to maintain a healthy lifestyle through exercise, diet, and educational videos. Objectives and aims We aimed to study the demographic patterns of the Waya cohort and examine the prevalence of diabetes (the most common lifestyle-associated metabolic disorder) and its risk factors in comparison to the GEDA 2014/2015-European Health Interview Survey population. Methods Waya participants who registered by 1 October 2020 and who answered at least one health survey question were included in this study. Factors such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes between the two populations were compared using Chi-square test. Results Of the 837 participants, 86.1% were women. The proportion of obese participants was higher in Waya than in the German Health Update (GEDA) cohort (women: 39.4% vs. 18%, P < 0.05; men: 37.1% vs. 18.3%, P < 0.05), whereas the proportion of participants with hypertension (women: 12.1% vs. 30.9% in GEDA, P < 0.05; men: 22.4% vs. 32.8% in GEDA, P < 0.05) was lower. The proportion of women with diabetes was low in our cohort (3.9% vs. 7% in GEDA, P < 0.05); however, the proportion of men with diabetes remained the same between the two groups. We observed significant differences between the GEDA and Waya cohorts due to changes in the prevalence pattern over time or target bias of the digital program. Conclusion These findings showcase the usability of Waya in collecting real-world insights, which will be beneficial in monitoring the prevalence of chronic metabolic disorders and associated risk factors over time.

No abstract