Evaluation of Early Patient Engagement with a Mobile App and Digital Data Platform for Monitoring MS Disease Stability

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex disease with many phenotypes and an unpredictable time-course.  Treatments for MS are highly variable in their efficacy and safety profiles.  As such, it is difficult for healthcare providers (HCPs) to effectively evaluate disease stability and the impact of treatments.  Patients desire a simple way to track their symptoms, assess how they compare with others, and share their experience with HCPs.  Mobile digital technologies and “big data” analytics have the potential to serve as useful tools to help better understand MS and assist with decision-making.  Recently, a mobile app and integrated data platform, MS Care Connect, became available for patients and HCPs.

Objectives: To assess patient engagement with the MS Care Connect app during the initial period of public availability.

Methods: MS Care Connect is an app developed for iOS and Android mobile devices wherein app users record health-related information via surveys, a symptoms log, and interactive performance tests.  Data is stored in a secure, HIPAA-compliant database.  A web-based interface presents selected summary data to users (patients and HCPs).  Data regarding patient user engagement was queried in April 2017.

Results: After approximately 4 months of public availability, 559 persons from 36 states and several countries have downloaded the app, with most users interacting with the app more than once.   Average session duration is 4 min 13 sec.   The age of app users ranges from 18 to 79 years, with a mean of 44 years.  Disease duration ranges from less than 1 to 51 years, with a mean of 10 years.  Persons of all MS subtypes are using the app, with 74% indicating the relapsing-remitting form as their current diagnosis.  All levels of disease status, as indicated by the Patient-Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) scale, are currently represented in the user population, with only 31% indicating no disability.

Conclusions: Given the relatively rapid adoption rate and extensive use of the MS Care Connect app by patients of wide-ranging characteristics soon after its launch, it appears there is high interest among MS patients to utilize mobile technologies that facilitate the tracking of health-related information and sharing with HCPs.  Mobile apps likely have significant potential to serve as useful tools for monitoring disease status as well as enhancing communication between patient and provider.