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The following is a summary of “A mobile app to support self-management and remotely monitor disease impact in rheumatoid arthritis: the randomised controlled AEGORA trial,” published in the November 2024 issue of Rheumatology by Doumen et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to assess if smartphone applications could support self-management in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and investigate engagement and potential psychological effects. 

They conducted a multicentre randomized controlled trial with a 2:1:1 allocation to usual care or 2 app-based self-management interventions for RA. The 16-week program included patient education, goal-setting, and remote monitoring of the RAID instrument, either weekly or monthly. The primary endpoint was improvement in the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES) after 16 weeks, with secondary endpoints including non-inferiority for the PCS and superiority for patient-reported physical activity, sleep quality, and RAID. App engagement and RAID scores were analyzed descriptively. 

The results showed that 122 patients participated, with a mean age of 58 years and a mean disease duration of 12 years. The intervention did not improve the ASES score (β: 0.44, P = 0.87). Non-inferiority was established for the PCS (β -0.95, 95% CI -3.30 to +1.40). Other outcomes showed no differences, and app retention declined to 43% by 16 weeks. Although RAID remained stable, 35% of app users reported ≥1 episode of clinically relevant worsening. 

Investigators found that the app-based self-management intervention was not superior to usual care in improving self-efficacy. However, remote symptom monitoring offered valuable insights without increasing pain catastrophizing, addressing concerns about its psychological impact. 

Source: academic.oup.com/rheumatology/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/rheumatology/keae638/7907194