The role of mobile apps in allergic respiratory diseases: an Italian multicentre survey report

Abstract

We performed a multicentre survey about the role of mobile apps in allergic respiratory diseases. The main objective was to investigate the current use and usefulness of mobile phone apps in the management of allergic respiratory disease. An original questionnaire including 12 multiple-choice questions was administered to 360 participants (153 male and 207 female subjects). Of notice, 290 subjects owned a smartphone, 120 a personal computer and 68 a tablet (multiple answers were possible). 123 subjects reported to be regular mobile-apps users, 209 were occasional users and 76 has never downloaded an app. Indeed, 259 subjects have never dealt with a medical or healthcare app, with only 8 subjects answering to often take advantage of such supportive tools. Data were even more discouraging when asking whether subjects had ever downloaded an app directly related to their own medical condition (allergy, asthma and rhinitis). 87.2% provided a negative answer. Among the few individuals who reported a previous experience with allergy/asthma apps only 2 subjects reported to regularly use the apps they had downloaded, even after months. The majority of subjects believed the apps would provide a relevant support, but only 25/360 participants found that the apps are "truly helpful", while 44 considered them of "help but not essential". Our data seem to show that the apps in the medical field, especially for allergic respiratory diseases, are welcome by patients, but their continued use and utility wane with the passage of time from the date of the download. In the future it will therefore be important to focus on the quality of the apps themselves and on the careful selection of the most suitable patients to use them. Finally, it will be important to make use of the fundamental contribution of healthcare professionals for the development of the apps.

Phenotyping Adopters of Mobile Applications Among Patients With COPD: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Those who used PA apps reported spending more time in MVPA, although objective accelerometry data showed no significant differences in MVPA between groups and higher time spent in sedentary behaviors in PA-Apps Users. Similar to studies on healthy people (13) and in other chronic conditions, such as tinnitus (30) and allergic respiratory diseases (31), in our study people using apps were younger. However, our sample was older than the ones in other studies (43-81 years old vs. 17-54 years old) (30,31).…”

“…Similar to studies on healthy people (13) and in other chronic conditions, such as tinnitus (30) and allergic respiratory diseases (31), in our study people using apps were younger. However, our sample was older than the ones in other studies (43-81 years old vs. 17-54 years old) (30,31). This finding suggests that, although mobile apps are mainly used by youngers, an increasing rate of older people is also keen to use this technology.…”

“…Similar to studies on healthy people ( 13 ) and in other chronic conditions, such as tinnitus ( 30 ) and allergic respiratory diseases ( 31 ), in our study people using apps were younger. However, our sample was older than the ones in other studies (43-81 years old vs. 17-54 years old) ( 30 , 31 ).…”

Why the role of mHealth in allergy diagnosis and treatment adherence cannot be overlooked

“…Patients with comorbidities and polysensitization constitute a challenge in the process of diagnosis and treatment 68–72 . The doctor conveying benefits associated with reporting data via app and observing treatment recommendations is the essence of effective communication for better treatment adherence 73,74 …”

Digital tools in allergy and respiratory care

“…Currently, most end-users of available ehealth tools in medicine fail to use such devices for the long term, given the lack of perceived benefit for both end-user groups. 29,30 However, gathering data on critical input and output variables in allergies and respiratory diseases, including CRS and asthma, is likely to lead to improved and more holistic solutions that may reduce their societal burden. 20 The large amount of data provided by e-health tools, has the capacity to either overload the HCP with information or provide the assistance needed to optimize care by providing relevant and/or personalized information.…”