SARS-CoV-2 infection leading to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused more than 762 million infections worldwide, with 10–30% of patients suffering from post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infections (PASC). Initially thought to primarily affect the respiratory system, it is now known that SARS-CoV-2 infection and PASC can cause dysfunction in multiple organs, both during the acute and chronic stages of infection. There are also multiple risk factors that may predispose patients to worse outcomes from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and contribute to PASC, including genetics, sex differences, age, reactivation of chronic viruses such as Epstein Barr Virus (EBV), gut microbiome dysbiosis, and behavioral and lifestyle factors, including patients’ diet, alcohol use, smoking, exercise, and sleep patterns. In addition, there are important social determinants of health, such as race and ethnicity, barriers to health equity, differential cultural perspectives and biases that influence patients’ access to health services and disease outcomes from acute COVID-19 and PASC. Here, we review risk factors in acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and PASC and highlight social determinants of health and their impact on patients affected with acute and chronic sequelae of COVID-19.
Objectives
To critically assess the quality and functionality of the available mobile apps for systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis patients.
Methods
Two reviewers independently searched the App Store and Google Play Store for eligible mobile health (mHealth) apps. Two separate searches were done: one for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the other for lupus nephritis (LN). The Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) was used to rate the quality of all selected apps.
Results
From the systemic lupus erythematosus screening, our search yielded 841 apps. Within these 841 apps, 17 of them were ultimately included. From the lupus nephritis screening, our search returned 1152 apps. Of the 1152 apps, 2 were ultimately included. Our search strategy included apps specifically designed for patients with SLE and LN. The MARS average of all the systemic lupus erythematosus apps was 2.7 out of 5. The MARS average of the two lupus nephritis apps was 2.6 out of 5.
Conclusion
Mobile health apps can serve as an effective tool for telehealth, engaging patients in self-care and for increasing the quality of life of lupus patients. While several mobile health technologies exist for patients with SLE and LN, there is still a significant need for app quality improvement and expanding the comprehensiveness of offered functions.
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