Zhilian Huang1,2, Michael Soljak1, Bernhard Otto Boehm3, Josip Car1. 1. Centre for Population Health Sciences, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. 2. NTU Institute for Health Technologies (HealthTech NTU), Interdisciplinary Disciplinary School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. 3. Immuno-Metabolism Laboratory, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We assessed the number, proportion, and clinical relevance of diabetes self-management apps in major languages spoken by 10 countries with the highest number of people with diabetes. METHODS: China, India, USA, Brazil, Russian Federation, Mexico, Indonesia, Egypt, Japan, and Pakistan were identified as the 10 countries with the largest number of people with diabetes based on the latest NCD-RisC survey. Android and iOS apps in the 10 national languages were extracted with a search strategy. App titles and descriptions were systematically screened by trained reviewers, including apps specific for diabetes self-management and excluding apps for health care providers, general well-being, health and product promotion, and traditional cure. Eighteen apps in the above languages were then downloaded based on availability and popularity and assessed for clinical relevance to diabetes self-management with reference to current clinical guidelines. RESULTS: The diabetes-related search terms identified 3374 Android and 4477 iOS apps, where 1019 Android and 1303 iOS apps were screened as being relevant for diabetes self-management. Chinese and English language apps constitute above 80% of the diabetes apps, have more downloads, and more comprehensive clinically relevant functions compared with other languages. None of the apps assessed met all criteria for information provision and app functionalities nor provided information cited from accredited sources. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that apps could play an important role in complementing multifaceted diabetes care, but should preferably be regulated, context specific, and more tailored to users' needs with clear guidance for patients and clinicians about the choices.
BACKGROUND: We assessed the number, proportion, and clinical relevance of diabetes self-management apps in major languages spoken by 10 countries with the highest number of people with diabetes. METHODS: China, India, USA, Brazil, Russian Federation, Mexico, Indonesia, Egypt, Japan, and Pakistan were identified as the 10 countries with the largest number of people with diabetes based on the latest NCD-RisC survey. Android and iOS apps in the 10 national languages were extracted with a search strategy. App titles and descriptions were systematically screened by trained reviewers, including apps specific for diabetes self-management and excluding apps for health care providers, general well-being, health and product promotion, and traditional cure. Eighteen apps in the above languages were then downloaded based on availability and popularity and assessed for clinical relevance to diabetes self-management with reference to current clinical guidelines. RESULTS: The diabetes-related search terms identified 3374 Android and 4477 iOS apps, where 1019 Android and 1303 iOS apps were screened as being relevant for diabetes self-management. Chinese and English language apps constitute above 80% of the diabetes apps, have more downloads, and more comprehensive clinically relevant functions compared with other languages. None of the apps assessed met all criteria for information provision and app functionalities nor provided information cited from accredited sources. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that apps could play an important role in complementing multifaceted diabetes care, but should preferably be regulated, context specific, and more tailored to users' needs with clear guidance for patients and clinicians about the choices.
Authors: Zhilian Huang; Eberta Tan; Elaine Lum; Peter Sloot; Bernhard Otto Boehm; Josip Car Journal: JMIR Mhealth Uhealth Date: 2019-09-12 Impact factor: 4.773