Reade researchers have developed a smartphone app for patients with RA that allows them to monitor their disease activity themselves. In RA patients with stable low disease activity, support with this app was found not to be at the expense of disease control, but it did lead to 38% fewer consultations with the rheumatologist.
This study was conducted in 103 RA patients with low disease activity. Treatment had not changed during the previous 6 months. Participating patients were randomized to app-assisted patient-initiated care with a scheduled follow-up consultation after one year (app group) or usual care. Every week they answer the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data (RAPID-3).
The first co-primary endpoint was non-inferiority in the change in DAS28 at 12 months. This endpoint was met, as the 95% confidence interval of the mean change in the DAS28 between the groups was within the non-inferiority limit: a 0.04 decrease in favor of the app group.
The second co-primary endpoint was the ratio of the mean number of rheumatologist consultations between the groups. The number of consultations was significantly lower in the app group (mean 1.7 vs. 2.8; visit ratio: 0.62).
Bron:
Seppen BF, Wiegel J, Ter Wee MM, et al. Smartphone-Assisted Patient-Initiated Care Versus Usual care in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Low Disease Activity: a Randomized Controlled Trial. Arthritis Rheum. 11 July 2022. Online ahead of print.
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