Kasoff Madison, Alishahian Leael, Gimoto Justin, Steinhart Adi, Grimes Cara L, Pape Dominique Malacarne
From the New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
Urogynecology (Phila). 2024 Dec 1;30(12):998-1004. doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000001541. Epub 2024 Aug 20.
Up to 50% of patients report not readily seeking treatment for pelvic floor disorders (PFDs). The increase in phone applications (apps) for health care information is an opportunity to increase access to care.
The aim of the study was to systematically evaluate content and function of apps for patients with PFDs.
Apps were screened using PFD-related search terms. Included apps were on the Apple store, in English, and targeted patients with PFDs. The primary outcome was app quality based on the APPLICATIONS scoring system (scored 0-16). Secondary outcomes included professional medical involvement, iTunes rating details, the presence of a voiding/bowel diary, tracking of diet, pain/symptoms, exercise, and medication, graphing or social functions, reminders, disease information, and decision support. Data was reported with descriptive statistics (medians (ranges) and n (percentages).
Eight hundred forty apps were identified and 83 were analyzed. The top 3 PFD categories represented were defecatory dysfunction (29), overactive bladder (28), and stress incontinence (27). The median APPLICATIONS score was 7 (3-12). Most apps (78%) were developed without professional medical involvement. Most apps were free, while the remainder ranged from $1.99 to $4.99. No app had all features. Twenty-five apps (30%) included a voiding diary, 33 (40%) had a bowel diary, 27 (33%) included exercise tracking, and 44 (53%) had reminder systems.
Most apps had reasonable, but not high, functionality. Current apps provide varying degrees of overall utility, with limited disease information and decision support. Further collaboration with medical providers in app development would support better integration of clinician and patient needs.
高达50%的患者表示不会轻易寻求盆底功能障碍（PFD）的治疗。用于医疗保健信息的手机应用程序（应用）的增加为增加就医机会提供了契机。
本研究旨在系统评估针对PFD患者的应用的内容和功能。
使用与PFD相关的搜索词筛选应用。纳入的应用来自苹果应用商店，为英文，且针对PFD患者。主要结局是基于APPLICATIONS评分系统的应用质量（评分0 - 16）。次要结局包括专业医疗参与情况、iTunes评分详情、是否存在排尿/排便日记、饮食追踪、疼痛/症状、锻炼和药物记录、绘图或社交功能、提醒功能、疾病信息以及决策支持。数据采用描述性统计报告（中位数（范围）和n（百分比））。
共识别出840个应用，其中83个进行了分析。所代表的前三大PFD类别为排便功能障碍（29个）、膀胱过度活动症（28个）和压力性尿失禁（27个）。APPLICATIONS评分的中位数为7（3 - 12）。大多数应用（78%）是在没有专业医疗参与的情况下开发的。大多数应用是免费的，其余的价格从1.99美元到4.99美元不等。没有一个应用具备所有功能。25个应用（30%）包括排尿日记，33个（40%）有排便日记，27个（33%）包括锻炼追踪，44个（53%）有提醒系统。
大多数应用具有合理但不高的功能。当前应用提供了不同程度的整体实用性，疾病信息和决策支持有限。在应用开发中与医疗服务提供者进一步合作将有助于更好地整合临床医生和患者的需求。
