Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO1087

CKDApps: A Systematic Evaluation of Patient-Facing Smartphone Apps for CKD by Patients and Nephrologists

Session Information

• CKD: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Prevention - I
  October 25, 2018 | Location: Exhibit Hall, San Diego Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)

• 1901 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Authors

• Singh, Karandeep, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Karandeep Singh,

• Diamantidis, Clarissa Jonas, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States

Clarissa Jonas Diamantidis,

• Ramani, Shreyas, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Shreyas Ramani,

• Bhavsar, Nrupen Anjan, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States

Nrupen Anjan Bhavsar,

• Mara, Peter, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Peter Mara,

• Herzog Warner, Julia, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Julia Herzog Warner,

• Wang, Tianshi, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Tianshi Wang,

• Wright Nunes, Julie A., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Julie A. Wright Nunes,

Background

Many aspects of chronic kidney disease (CKD) management rely heavily on patient self-care, including medication and dietary adherence, self-monitoring of blood pressure, and daily physical activity. There is growing evidence that incorporating technology, specifically smartphone-based applications (apps), can help support self-care in CKD and chronic disease more generally.

Methods

We identified apps targeting CKD patients by conducting a search of the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android) using the following 4 phrases: "kidney disease," "renal," "dialysis," and "kidney transplant." We considered the first 50 apps for each search term on each app store. We modified a previously described framework for assessment of mobile health apps to account for kidney disease-specific content areas and evaluated apps on their clinical focus, types of patient engagement, quality, usability, safety, and cost. Engagement and quality were assessed by both a patient and a nephrologist, usability was assessed by patients, and safety was assessed by nephrologists.

Results

Our search strategy identified 174 unique apps on Android and 165 unique apps on iOS. After excluding apps that were not related to kidney disease, not patient-facing, or were last updated prior to 2014, 12 Android-only apps, 11 iOS-only apps, and 5 dual-platform apps remained. Patient and nephrologist ratings showed a positive correlation that was not statistically significant (p = 0.063, see Figure). Consumer ratings on the app stores did not correlate with patient ratings (p = 0.177).

Conclusion

Only a small subset of CKD apps are highly rated by both patients and nephrologists. Patients' impressions of app quality are not directly linked to consumer app ratings or nephrologist impressions. Efforts to develop and disseminate apps for CKD self-care should involve direct patient input.

Relationship between (A) nephrologist and patient ratings and (B) consumer and patient ratings.

Funding

• NIDDK Support