P1009 Enhancing Inflammatory Bowel Disease care: The role of mobile applications in disease management
Authors: Telli P , Çavuş B , Çifcibaşı Örmeci A , Kalkan İ H , Karakan T , Arhan M , Törüner M , Akyüz F 
Published: January 2025

Background

Managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can be challenging, requiring a careful balance of medication adherence, symptom tracking, and lifestyle adjustments. Mobile applications offer a promising avenue to support individuals with IBD in navigating these complexities. This study investigates the impact of the “My IBD Under Control” mobile application on patient education and self-management.

Methods

The “My IBD Under Control” app provides a comprehensive suite of features designed to improve patient outcomes. Users can record and monitor symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation, enabling early detection of potential flares and timely intervention. Timely notifications help ensure adherence to prescribed treatment plans, improving disease control and reducing the risk of complications. Access to reliable information about IBD, its causes, and management strategies empowers patients to make informed decisions about their health and take an active role in their care. The nearby restroom locator is a valuable tool, especially during flare-ups, providing peace of mind and reducing anxiety. Data on user demographics, app usage patterns, and symptom tracking were collected through the app’s built-in analytics tools. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze user demographics and app usage patterns. Data privacy was ensured through secure data storage and anonymization techniques.

Results

Since its launch in February 2022, the “My IBD Under Control” app has attracted a significant user base of over 5900 individuals with IBD in Turkey. The user base is predominantly male (58%) with a mean age of 38, while female users (42%) have a mean age of 33. The app’s high interaction rate of 63.4% indicates strong user engagement. Although only 7% of users have specified their IBD type, of those who did, ulcerative colitis was more prevalent (60%) than Crohn’s disease (40%). The higher engagement rate among younger users suggests that this demographic may be more receptive to digital health tools. Figure 1 illustrates the growth of the app’s user base since its launch in February 2022. The figure shows a significant increase in the total active user count and new users.

Conclusion

Mobile applications have the potential to revolutionize IBD care by empowering patients to take an active role in their health. The “My IBD Under Control” app offers a comprehensive suite of features to improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to explore such apps’ long-term impact and identify strategies to optimize their use. By incorporating innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, future mobile health applications can enhance patient care and improve the quality of life for individuals with IBD.

References

Wang R, Li Z, Liu S, Zhang D. Global, regional and national burden of inflammatory bowel disease in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019: a systematic analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. BMJ open. 2023;13(3):e065186.