Abstract

Aim: The efficacy and safety of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in allergic rhinitis has been classically assessed using randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, RCTs may have limitations in their external validity, and their evidence may be complemented with that from real-world studies. We aimed to review the mHealth apps that can be used for retrieving real-world data on AIT in allergic rhinitis. Materials and methods: We applied an automatic tool to identify the mHealth apps (available in the Google Play and Apple App stores) that can be used to assess patients under AIT for allergic rhinitis. Apps meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed, and the corresponding scientific evidence was assessed. Results: We identified five apps with scientific publications in the context of allergic rhinitis: AirRater, AllergyMonitor, MASK-air, Husteblume, and Pollen App. Of those, only MASK-air and AllergyMonitor assessed AIT in patients with allergic rhinitis. MASK-air has enabled the comparison of reported symptoms among patients treated vs. not-treated with AIT. MASK-air has also allowed for the development of combined symptom-medication scores that can be used as endpoints for AIT trials. AllergyMonitor has identified that mobile technology can improve adherence to AIT and is set to support the prescription of AIT for patients with allergic rhinitis by a more precise identification of the pollen season. Conclusion: Mobile health tools allow for the collection of large volumes of real-world data and can be useful for generating hypotheses on AIT. However, such hypotheses require confirmation by epidemiological studies and RCTs.

Author Details

Authors

• Bernardo Sousa-Pinto¹,²,³
• Oliver Pfaar⁴
• Jean Bousquet⁵,⁶,⁷

Departments

• ¹ MEDCIDS, Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine,
• ² CINTESIS, Center for Health Technology and Services Research,
• ³ RISE, Health Research Network, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal,
• ⁴ Section of Rhinology and Allergy, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg,
• ⁵ Institute of Allergology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin,
• ⁶ Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Allergology and Immunology, Berlin, Germany, and
• ⁷ University Hospital Montpellier, Montpellier, France

Address

Jean Bousquet, Institute of Allergology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Hindenburgdamm 30 (Geländeadresse, Haus II), 12200 Berlin, Germany
Email: [email protected]

Citation