https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2023.11076

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

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: 1048
PDF: 538
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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
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9706-8516
Unit of Urology, Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
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
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8585-3701
Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy.
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
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1175-8637
Unit of Urology, Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
Felice Crocetto
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4315-7660
Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy.
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
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2036-0356
Unit of Urology, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences, and Odontostomatology University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy.

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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How to Cite

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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