Background: Mobile health apps have great potential to support the self-management of chronic conditions such as allergic diseases, which constitute significant challenges in health care. However, the health app market is confusing for users, as it is vast, dynamic, and lacks scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of the apps on offer. To our knowledge, no health app for pollen-related allergic rhinitis has been evaluated.
Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the Husteblume mobile phone health app, developed in Germany to facilitate the self-management of pollen-related allergic rhinitis.
Methods: We evaluated usability and changes in quality of life, health literacy, and self-efficacy for managing one's chronic disease. We conducted 2 online surveys of registered users of the app, 1 before and 1 after the 2017 pollen season, allowing for the analysis of both cross-sectional and longitudinal data in a field setting.
Results: The sample comprised 661 app users at the first measurement point and 143 users at follow-up. The subgroup of study participants at follow-up rated the usability of the app as good or very good. There were no significant changes in patient-reported outcomes such as quality of life, health literacy, and self-efficacy between the 2 measurement points (P>.05). However, those reached at follow-up perceived subjective improvements due to the app: 55.9% (80/143) reported being subjectively better informed about their allergy, 27.3% (39/143) noted improved quality of life, 33.6% (48/143) reported subjectively better coping with their allergy, and 28.0% (40/143) felt better prepared for the consultation with their physician. Finally, 90.9% (130/143) users did not identify any adverse effects of the app.
Conclusions: Despite some methodological caveats, the results of the evaluation of the Husteblume app are encouraging for the subgroup using the app in the long term. However, further studies evaluating the effectiveness of the app are needed.
Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00011897; https://tinyurl.com/yxxrg9av.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7195669 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/15514 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Tracking the Spread of Pollen on Social Media Using Pollen-Related Messages From Twitter: Retrospective Analysis.
J Med Internet Res
October 2024
CINBIO, Universidade de Vigo (University of Vigo), Vigo, Spain.
Article Synopsis
- Allergy disorders due to airborne pollen are projected to affect 50% of Europeans in the next 15 years, driven by urbanization and climate change.
- The study analyzed Twitter data from December 2006 to January 2022 to understand how information about pollen-related symptoms spreads and its impact on public health awareness.
- Results showed increased Twitter discussions about pollen allergies, particularly from March to August, and indicated a rise in morning symptoms, highlighting the need for localized responses to allergy issues.
Main Airborne Pollen Species and Characteristics of Allergic Rhinitis Patients with Pollen-Related Allergies in 13 Northern Chinese Cities.
J Asthma Allergy
August 2024
Department of Allergy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Background: Pollen allergies have a high prevalence in northern China, whereas, the types of pollen allergens and population characteristics among different regions remain unclear.
Objective: To study the species and temporal distribution of the main allergenic pollen, as well as the characteristics of patients with pollen-related allergic rhinitis (AR) in different cities in northern China.
Methods: Pollen data were obtained from pollen-monitoring stations in 13 cities of northern China between 2020 and 2021.
New light on an old syndrome: Role of Api g 7 in mugwort pollen-related celery allergy.
J Allergy Clin Immunol
September 2024
Molecular Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany.
Background: Celery root is known to cause severe allergic reactions in patients sensitized to mugwort pollen.
Objective: We studied clinically well-characterized patients with celery allergy by IgE testing with a comprehensive panel of celery allergens to disentangle the molecular basis of what is known as the celery-mugwort syndrome.
Methods: Patients with suspected food allergy to celery underwent a standardized interview.
Uncovering a Severe Patient Group With Pollen-Related Extrarespiratory Allergic Symptoms: A Year-Long Diary Survey in Japan.
J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract
June 2024
NHO Fukuoka National Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
Background: The most common symptoms of pollen allergy are rhinitis and conjunctivitis. However, in real-world clinical practice, we sometimes encounter patients with pollen allergy suffering from severe extrarespiratory symptoms including skin, gastrointestinal, or flu-like symptoms in relation to exposure to sensitized pollen.
Objective: To elucidate the extrarespiratory symptoms in patients with pollen allergy.
Conception and pilot testing of a self-management health application for patients with pollen-related allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma-the APOLLO app.
Sci Rep
December 2023
Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Munich/Oberschleißheim/Erlangen, Germany.
It has been shown that pollen information services are an important self-management tool for patients with pollen-related allergic rhinitis (AR) and allergic asthma (AA). This study aimed to design an online application for patients with AR and AA, which supports patients to better manage their disease as well as to evaluate the app and present the first results of the pilot study. The pollen data were obtained from the electronic pollen information network of Bavaria, Germany.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!