Use of eHealth by Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Observational, Cross-sectional, Multicenter Study

Background The use of eHealth tools (eg, the internet, mobile apps, and connected devices) in management chronic diseases for rheumatoid arthritis is growing. may improve overall quality care provided to patients with diseases. Objective primary objective this study was describe by France. secondary objectives were identify associations between patient demographics disease characteristics tools, assess their expectations eHealth. Methods In cross-sectional, multicenter study, arthritis, according 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria, recruited from 5 university hospitals (Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Limoges, Montpellier, Toulouse). Patients completed an anonymous self-questionnaire, including demographic data, evaluating (ie, access, support, frequency use, type reason use). rheumatologist charge each independent medical questionnaire on characteristics, activity treatments. Data collected December 2018 July 2019. Results Questionnaires 575 participants, a mean age 62 (SD 13) years, 447 (77.7%) whom female. Overall, 82.2% (473/575) participants had access through computer (402/467, 86.1%), tablet (188/467, 40.2%), or smartphone (221/467, 47.3%). Of these, 36.4% (170/467) used internet health general, 28.7% (134/467) it specifically arthritis–related reasons. All these 134 learn about pathology, 66.4% (89/134) them as tool help monitor arthritis. Most (87/125, 69.6%) paper file, 19.2% (24/125) digital (spreadsheets, 10/125, 8%; app, 9/125, 7.2%; website, 5/125, 4%), 24.8% (31/125) did not any monitoring. Few (16/125, 12.8%) treatment reminders. About 21.6% (27/125) using specific app Univariate analysis showed that age, education level, employment status, treatment, comorbidities, membership association, program associated Multivariate association (odds ratio [OR] 5.8, 95% CI 3.0-11.2), biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (OR 0.6, 0.4-1.0), comorbidities 0.7, 0.6-0.8) remained Recommendation doctor (225/330, 68.2%), ease (105/330, 31.8%), data security (69/330, 20.9%) factors favoring Conclusions To date, few have management. reliable validated could therefore be promoted rheumatologists optimize therapeutic adherence.