ReMonit Gout usability study in primary care
Gout management app
Project manager
Postdoctoral fellow
ABOUT THE PROJECT
In this sub-study of the ReMonit Gout , we are testing a new app for people with gout, "MinGout". It will support patients receiving uric acid-lowering treatment.
Gout is a rheumatic disease with painful inflammation of the joints.
When the level of uric acid in the blood is too high over time, crystals can form in the joints. These can trigger acute attacks of inflammation. If the level of uric acid is not lowered, the attacks can come back again and again.
There are good medications that lower uric acid levels. Initially, the dose must be increased gradually. Patients must also have blood tests every month until the uric acid level falls below 360 μmol/L. With the right dose over time, patients can avoid new attacks, as long as they take the medication daily.
Nevertheless, many people stop taking the medication or do not receive a high enough dose. This causes uric acid levels to become too high, and the risk of new attacks increases.
The app contains short films and texts about the disease and its treatment. It shows the development of uric acid levels in a graph. The app can also remind the user to take the medication – and shows the date of the next blood test.
The patient enters the uric acid value from the blood test into the app. If the level is too high, the user is advised to contact their GP to consider increasing the medication dose.
The aim of this sub-study is to determine whether the app is useful and easy to use for patients who are being followed up by their GP. We will also investigate whether it is possible to conduct a larger study in primary care.
WHO CAN JOIN?
The project will include around 50 adults with gout, who are followed up by their general practitioner in Norway.
To participate, the patient must need uric acid-lowering treatment and have a uric acid level above 360 μmol/L.
The participant must have access to a smartphone or tablet. They must also understand Norwegian well.
WHAT DOES THE STUDY INVOLVE?
Patients who want to participate must make an appointment with their GP. The doctor will make a diagnosis, take a blood test and assess the need for treatment.
Those who meet the criteria are asked to use the app "MinUrinsyregikt" for three months.
Participants answer a digital questionnaire at the start and after three months. Some are also invited to an interview about their experiences with the app.
Information will also be collected from GPs about the treatment patients have received while using the app. The GPs will answer a questionnaire about the follow-up during the three months the patients have been using the app. Some GPs will also be interviewed about their experiences with app-supported treatment.
MORE INFORMATION
The sub-study is led by Fiona Aanesen, while Nina Østerås leads the entire ReMonit Gout project.