Mobile health applications in kidney stone disease management: A reliable support for patients?


https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2023.11076
Vol. 95 No. 1 (2023)
Submitted: December 11, 2022
Accepted: December 28, 2022
Published: February 22, 2023
App, e-health, Mobile phone, Kidney stone, MARS
Abstract Views: 846
PDF: 417
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Authors

  • Luigi Cirillo Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy.
  • Celeste Manfredi Unit of Urology, Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9706-8516
  • Biagio Barone Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy.
  • Vincenzo Morgera Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy.
  • Gianluigi Cacace Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy.
  • Francesco Mastrangelo Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy.
  • Francesco Di Bello Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8585-3701
  • Marco Abate Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy.
  • Davide Arcaniolo Unit of Urology, Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
  • Lorenzo Spirito Unit of Urology, Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1175-8637
  • Felice Crocetto Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4315-7660
  • Roberto La Rocca Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy.
  • Massimiliano Creta Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy.
  • Francesco Paolo Calace Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy.
  • Giovanni Maria Fusco
    giom.fusco@gmail.com
    Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy.
  • Luigi Napolitano Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2036-0356

Introduction: Mobile health applications (MHAs) represent an interesting issue to assist and improve the quality of life of patients affected by Kidney Stone Disease (KSD). Despite this, their scientific quality and adherence to guidelines are not yet addressed.

Material and methods: On 2 November 2022, we conducted an observational cross-sectional descriptive study of all MHAs on KSD. A search in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store was performed. We reviewed all mobile apps from Apple App Store and Google Play Store for KSD and evaluated their usage in screening, prevention, management, and adherence to EAU guidelines.

Results: In total 13 MHA were included in the final analysis. All MHAs, 4 (30.8%) from the Apple App Store and 9 (69.2%) from the Google Play Store are geared towards the patient. Engagement ranged from 1.73 to 4.06; Functionality ranged from 3.17 to 4.75; Aesthetics ranged from 1.9 to 4.12; Information ranged from 2.25 to 4.27, and Subjective quality ranged from 1.58 to 3.23. MHAs reported low and medium adherence to EAU guidelines.

Conclusions: MHAs provide a very useful assistance in several medical fields, including KSD. Despite MHAs development is constantly increasing, the scientific validation, content, and quality are not yet solved. Future research is necessary to improve the quality of the apps and promote new user designed, and high-quality apps.


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Cirillo, L., Manfredi, C., Barone, B., Morgera, V., Cacace, G., Mastrangelo, F., Di Bello, F., Abate, M., Arcaniolo, D., Spirito, L., Crocetto, F., La Rocca, R., Creta, M., Calace, F. P., Fusco, G. M., & Napolitano, L. (2023). Mobile health applications in kidney stone disease management: A reliable support for patients?. Archivio Italiano Di Urologia E Andrologia, 95(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2023.11076

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