OBJECTIVE: To evaluate adherence to therapy in acne patients using mobile phones and Short Message Service (SMS) to communicate. METHODS:160 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the SMS group received 2 text messages twice a day for a period of 12 weeks; the control group did not receive any messages. Before and after 12 weeks, the following evaluations were performed in all patients: digital photographs, the Global Acne Grading System, the Dermatology Life Quality Index, the Cardiff Acne Disability Index, the doctor-patient relationship evaluated through the Patient-Doctor Depth-of-Relationship Scale, and the adherence to treatment evaluated by asking patients how many days a week they had followed the therapy. For statistical analysis we used Student's t test. RESULTS: The SMS group had a better improvement of all parameters compared to the control group. CONCLUSION:Adherence and compliance are higher for patients who are included in a strategy of control.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate adherence to therapy in acnepatients using mobile phones and Short Message Service (SMS) to communicate. METHODS: 160 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the SMS group received 2 text messages twice a day for a period of 12 weeks; the control group did not receive any messages. Before and after 12 weeks, the following evaluations were performed in all patients: digital photographs, the Global Acne Grading System, the Dermatology Life Quality Index, the Cardiff Acne Disability Index, the doctor-patient relationship evaluated through the Patient-Doctor Depth-of-Relationship Scale, and the adherence to treatment evaluated by asking patients how many days a week they had followed the therapy. For statistical analysis we used Student's t test. RESULTS: The SMS group had a better improvement of all parameters compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Adherence and compliance are higher for patients who are included in a strategy of control.
Authors: Sherif M Badawy; Leonardo Barrera; Mohamad G Sinno; Saara Kaviany; Linda C O'Dwyer; Lisa M Kuhns Journal: JMIR Mhealth Uhealth Date: 2017-05-15 Impact factor: 4.773