Apps in rheumatology

Abstract

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen (DiGA) halten in vielen Bereichen der Medizin Einzug und haben das Potenzial, die Patientenversorgung zu revolutionieren. In der Rheumatologie wäre der Einsatz bei der axialen Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) in Form einer Trainings- und Bewegungs-App denkbar. In einer repräsentativen Umfrage unter Patienten mit axSpA sollte daher ermittelt werden, ob eine solche App aktuell benötigt wird. Methodik Durchführung einer anonymen Onlinebefragung bei axSpA-Patienten der Deutschen Vereinigung Morbus Bechterew e. V. mittels eines Fragebogens; Datenauswertung mittels Excel und GraphPad Prism. Ergebnisse Es nahmen 435 axSpA-Patienten an der Befragung teil. Von den Befragten sehen 84 % die Entwicklung einer speziell auf axSpA abgestimmten Bewegungs-App als notwendig an und genauso viele wollen diese auch nutzen. Patienten unter 60 Jahre, Patienten unter 60-Jahre mit Biologika- oder Januskinase-Inhibitor-Therapie und Patienten mit häufigen Rückenschmerzen geben im Vergleich zur jeweiligen Kontrollsubgruppe einen höheren Bedarf an (jeweils p < 0,001). Schlussfolgerung Die Entwicklung einer Bewegungs-App für die axSpA wird von einem Großteil der Betroffenen als notwendig angesehen, wobei jüngere und intensiver medikamentös therapierte Patienten einen höheren Bedarf zu haben scheinen.

Axia: A Home-based Exercise-App with Patient-Education and Self-Management Features - An innovative therapeutic approach for Axial Spondyloarthritis. Results from a Pilot Study.

“…Axia is a class I medical device that was developed by Applimeda (Aachen, Germany), a startup founded by medical students, in close cooperation with the University Hospital of Würzburg and the DVMB. The app's design and content are based on a market analysis of other approved DHAs (8), the results of a survey among 435 axSpA patients (7), individual interviews with more than 50 patients, and recommendations from rheumatologists at the University Hospital of Würzburg. In addition, several physical therapists specialized in axSpA were closely involved in the development of all exercise programs.…”

“…Preliminary Data: Despite these limitations, this study provides initial insights into the use, functionality, and user satisfaction of a new digital medical device. It highlights a novel form of digital exercise intervention highly sought after by German axSpA patients (7).…”

“…Despite these recommendations, a recent survey found that nearly 30 percent of German axSpA-patients exercise too infrequently (7). This trend has been further exacerbated by the closure of physical therapy facilities, tness centers, and self-help groups during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (7).…”

“…The potential of this approach is further evidenced by recent ndings revealing that axSpA patients bene t from using general exercise DHAs designed for back pain (9). Initially, we surveyed 435 German patients with axSpA from the German patient self-help association "Deutsche Vereinigung Morbus Bechterew" (DVMB) to assess the need for an axSpA-speci c DHA (7). In this survey, 84% of the participants expressed their wish for such an app and provided extensive feedback on the essential functionalities an axSpA-focused app should include.…”

The exercise-app Axia for axial spondyloarthritis enhances the home-based exercise frequency in axial spondyloarthritis patients – A cross-sectional survey

“…Besides training in physical therapy facilities and self-help groups, home-based disease-specific exercise programs have shown to improve disease activity (Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index [BASDAI]), disease-specific functionality (Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index [BASFI]), range of motion (Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index [BASMI]) and quality of life (ASQoL [ankylosing spondylitis quality of life], SF-36 [36-item short form survey]) [4][5][6][7]. Despite these clear recommendations, a recent survey among 435 axSpA patients of the German patient self-help association "Deutsche Vereinigung Morbus Bechterew" (DVMB) found that nearly 30% of German axSpA-patients exercise too infrequently [8]. This trend has been further exacerbated by the closure of physical therapy facilities, fitness centers, and self-help groups during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic [8].…”