Mount Sinai Fertility, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2020 May;42(5):583-590. doi: 10.1016/j.jogc.2019.09.023. Epub 2019 Dec 25.
This study sought to review and appraise Apple App Store applications (apps) designed for menstrual cycle tracking, ovulation prediction, and other topics related to fertility or the management of infertility.
The Apple App Store was systematically searched using the keywords "period tracker," "menstrual tracker," "fertility," "ovulation," "IVF," and "in vitro fertilization." Apps were downloaded after being screened against pre-defined inclusion criteria. Included apps were independently reviewed by two authors. Data were extracted, and an app quality score (AQS) was calculated according to a premade rubric. Apps were assessed on the basis of their general features, menstrual cycle tracking and prediction features, infertility-related features, and usability.
A total of 140 apps were included in the final analysis, of which 90 (64.3%) were free. The average AQS was 32.5%. There was no significant difference in AQS between free and paid apps (31.5% vs. 34.2%; P = 0.491). A total of 62 (44.3%) apps made dynamic cycle predictions on the basis of cumulatively input data. Thirty-one apps (22.1%) contained serious inaccuracies in content, tools, or both. Only 25 apps (17.9%) contained information or functions specifically related to infertility or its management.
Some high-quality menstrual cycle tracking apps are available; however, many more are of low quality, and users should be wary of relying on their predictions to avoid pregnancy or to maximize chances of conception. Few apps specifically address the needs of patients struggling with infertility.
本研究旨在回顾和评价苹果应用商店（Apple App Store）中用于月经周期跟踪、排卵预测以及其他与生育或不孕管理相关的应用程序。
使用“经期追踪器”“月经追踪器”“生育”“排卵”“试管婴儿”和“体外受精”等关键词，系统地在苹果应用商店中进行搜索。在符合预先设定的纳入标准的情况下，筛选后下载应用程序。由两名作者独立对纳入的应用程序进行审查。提取数据，并根据预先制定的评分标准计算应用程序质量评分（AQS）。根据一般功能、月经周期跟踪和预测功能、不孕相关功能以及可用性对应用程序进行评估。
共有 140 个应用程序被纳入最终分析，其中 90 个（64.3%）是免费的。平均 AQS 为 32.5%。免费和付费应用程序的 AQS 没有显著差异（31.5%比 34.2%；P=0.491）。共有 62 个（44.3%）应用程序根据累积输入数据进行动态周期预测。31 个应用程序（22.1%）的内容、工具或两者都存在严重不准确。只有 25 个应用程序（17.9%）包含与生育或其管理相关的特定信息或功能。
一些高质量的月经周期跟踪应用程序是可用的；然而，更多的应用程序质量较低，用户应谨慎依赖其预测来避免怀孕或最大限度地提高受孕机会。很少有应用程序专门针对正在与不孕作斗争的患者的需求。
