[Apps in rheumatology : Is there a need for an app in therapy for axial spondyloarthritis?].

BACKGROUND

Digital health applications/apps (DiGA) are entering many medical disciplines and have the potential to revolutionize patient care. In rheumatology, the use for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) would be conceivable in the form of an exercise app. Therefore, a representative survey among axSpA patients was conducted to determine the need for an axSpA exercise app.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

An anonymous online survey among axSpA patients of the German Bechterew's Disease Association was conducted using a questionnaire; data were analysed using Excel, and GraphPad Prism.

RESULTS

Four hundred and thirty-five axSpA patients participated in the survey. Eighty-four percent of the participants responded that there is a need to develop an axSpA-specific exercise app, and the same proportion want to use it. Patients under 60 years, patients under 60 years on biologics or Janus kinase inhibitor therapy, and patients with frequent back pain reported a greater need than their respective control subgroups (p < 0.001 in each case).

CONCLUSION

The development of an exercise app for axSpA is considered necessary by a large proportion of the patients; younger and more intensively treated patients appear to have a greater need.