Pilot study of mobile phone technology in allergic rhinitis in European countries: the MASK‐rhinitis study

Abstract

Background: The use of Apps running on smartphones and tablets profoundly affects medicine. The MASK-rhinitis (MACVIA-ARIA Sentinel NetworK for allergic rhinitis) App (Allergy Diary) assesses allergic rhinitis symptoms, disease control and impact on patients' lives. It is freely available in 20 countries (iOS and Android platforms). Aims: To assess in a pilot study whether (i) Allergy Diary users were able to properly provide baseline characteristics (ii) simple phenotypic characteristics based upon data captured by the Allergy Diary could be identified and (iii) information gathered by this study could suggest novel research questions. Methods: The Allergy Diary users were classified into six groups according to the baseline data that they entered into the App: (i) asymptomatic; (ii) nasal symptoms excluding rhinorrhea; (iii) rhinorrhea; (iv) rhinorrhea plus 1-2 nasal/ocular symptoms; (v) rhinorrhea plus ≥3 nasal/ocular symptoms; and (vi) rhinorrhea plus all nasal/ocular symptoms. Results: By 1 June 2016, 3260 users had registered with the Allergy Diary and 2710 had completed the baseline questionnaire. Troublesome symptoms were found mainly in the users with the most symptoms. Around 50% of users with troublesome rhinitis and/or ocular symptoms suffered work impairment. Sleep was impaired by troublesome symptoms and nasal obstruction. Conclusions: This is the first App (iOS and Android) to have tested for allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. A simple questionnaire administered by cell phones enables the identification of phenotypic differences between a priori defined rhinitis groups. The results suggest novel concepts and research questions in allergic rhinitis that may not be identified using classical methods.

Validation of the MASK‐rhinitis visual analogue scale on smartphone screens to assess allergic rhinitis control

“…As the magnitude of correlation coefficients is affected by the range of scores included in the sample, increasing as the range of scores increases, ICCs were calculated separately for VAS scores above and below 50 mm; The sensitivity . It was evaluated by the Cronbach’ alpha coefficient, the difference of measures and the standard deviation in the VAS, for those users logging into the app more than once per day, but self‐assessing their symptoms with a interval of less than 3 hours (thus, eliminating bias related to possible changes in allergen exposure and/or drug intake). The external validity having already been described in a previous paper …”

“…Users may self‐evaluate their AR control by a VAS that appears on their phone screen. Preliminary data showed that the app enables baseline and simple phenotypic characteristics collection …”

Practice Patterns for Chronic Respiratory Diseases in the Asia-Pacific Region: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

“…These findings emphasize the need for dissemination of readily accessible guidelines and practice recommendations to GP, who are usually not trained in depth regarding chronic management of these respiratory diseases. For example, in Europe there are several initiatives to establish accessible treatment algorithms for practitioners, such as for AR [38, 40], and to improve patient education and communication with physicians using technology to monitor AR symptoms [41]. …”

ARIA 2016 executive summary: integrated care pathways for predictive medicine across the life cycle

“…Bununla ilgili 5000 kullanıcının (%9'u 60 yaşın üzerinde) katıldığı pilot çalışma, bu soruların kolaylıkla yanıt-landığını ve rinit hastalarının sınıflanmasına yardımcı olduğunu göstermiştir (28).…”