⚡ Quick Summary
A systematic review of mobile health applications for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) reveals that while these applications primarily focus on treatment and self-management, they currently have limited capabilities in diagnosing disease severity. However, the integration of artificial intelligence could enhance their effectiveness and reliability.
🔍 Key Details
- 📊 Total articles reviewed: 160
- 📅 Study period: 2015 to 2024
- 🧩 Application focus: 100% treatment, 83% self-management, 33% diagnosis
- ⚙️ Features categorized: Education, Monitoring, Counseling, Diagnosis and Treatment
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 📱 Mobile applications are emerging as vital tools for managing IBD.
- 💡 Self-management is crucial for improving the quality of life in IBD patients.
- 🧠 AI integration could significantly enhance the capabilities of these applications.
- 📚 Education and counseling are key features of IBD management apps.
- 🔍 Limited diagnostic capabilities highlight the need for further development.
- 🌍 Global research indicates a growing interest in mobile health solutions for chronic diseases.
- 🏆 Study conducted following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews.
- 🆔 PMID: 39807416.
📚 Background
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) encompasses chronic conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which require lifelong management. The impact of IBD on patients’ quality of life is profound, making effective self-management strategies essential. Mobile health applications represent a novel approach to empower patients in managing their conditions through technology.
🗒️ Study
This systematic review aimed to identify the features and technologies utilized in the development of mobile health applications for IBD management. Conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, the review analyzed data from multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences, up to August 8, 2023.
📈 Results
Out of the initial 160 articles, only 12 met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the review. The findings indicated that all applications were designed for treatment purposes, with a significant portion focusing on self-management. The categorization of features into education, monitoring, counseling, and diagnosis and treatment underscores the multifaceted approach these applications take in supporting IBD patients.
🌍 Impact and Implications
The development of mobile health applications for IBD management has the potential to transform patient care. By providing tools for education and self-management, these applications can significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals living with IBD. Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence and decision support systems could lead to more reliable and effective management strategies, paving the way for future innovations in chronic disease management.
🔮 Conclusion
This systematic review highlights the promising landscape of mobile health applications for IBD management. While current applications show limitations in diagnostic capabilities, their focus on treatment and self-management is commendable. The future of IBD care could be greatly improved with advancements in technology, particularly through the incorporation of AI. Continued research and development in this area are essential for enhancing patient outcomes and empowering individuals with IBD.
💬 Your comments
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Developing Mobile Health Applications for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review of Features and Technologies.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) require lifelong treatment, which significantly impacts their quality of life. Self-management of this disease is an effective factor in managing chronic conditions and improving patients’ quality of life. The use of mobile applications is a novel approach to providing self-management models and healthcare services for patients with IBD. The present systematic review aimed to identify the features and technologies used in the development of IBD disease management applications.
METHODS: This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences databases up to August 8, 2023, which included initial searches, screening studies, assessing eligibility and risk of bias, and study selection. The data extraction form was based on the study objectives, including bibliographic information from articles, such as the first author’s name, year of publication, country of origin, and details related to mobile health applications, such as the name of the application, features and technologies used, advantages and disadvantages, main outcomes, and other results. The content of the research was analyzed according to the research objectives.
RESULTS: In the initial review of four databases, a total of 160 articles were retrieved and subsequently entered into EndNote. After removing duplicates and irrelevant studies based on title, abstract, and full-text assessments, 12 articles were finally selected. The studies were conducted between the years 2015 and 2024. 100% of the applications designed for patients with IBD were aimed at treatment, 83% were for self-management of the disease, and 33% of the applications were intended for disease diagnosis. The features of IBD management applications were categorized into four groups: education, monitoring, counseling, and diagnosis and treatment.
CONCLUSION: Various mobile applications have been developed for the management of IBD, each differing in features and technologies used. While current IBD applications have limited capabilities in diagnosing disease severity, they still hold significant potential in empowering patients through education, counseling, and monitoring. The integration of artificial intelligence and decision support systems may enhance the effectiveness and reliability of these applications.
Author: [‘Akbarian P’, ‘Asadi F’, ‘Sabahi A’]
Journal: Middle East J Dig Dis
Citation: Akbarian P, et al. Developing Mobile Health Applications for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review of Features and Technologies. Developing Mobile Health Applications for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review of Features and Technologies. 2024; 16:211-220. doi: 10.34172/mejdd.2024.394