Consumer Mobile Apps for Potential Drug-Drug Interaction Check: Systematic Review and Content Analysis Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS)

Kim, Ben; Sharafoddini, Anis; Tran, Nam; Wen, Emily Y; Lee, Joon

doi:10.2196/mhealth.8613

Cited by 83 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…The results obtained in the present study indicate that app engagement is the section with the lowest score with respect to functionality, esthetics, and information, in line with other MARS assessments of apps for food provision [ 38 ], checking for drug interactions [ 56 ], and drunk driving prevention [ 57 ], and the lack of interactive features influences the engagement quality of these apps. However, in a comparison of the 3 purposes of the included apps, the engagement section of the meal planner apps received higher quality scores than that of the food product and restaurant apps.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Mobile Phone Apps for Food Allergies or Intolerances in App Stores: Systematic Search and Quality Assessment Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS)

Mandracchia

Llauradó

Tarro

et al. 2020

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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Background Food allergies and intolerances are increasing worldwide, and mobile phone apps could be a promising tool for self-management of these issues. Objective This study aimed to systemically search and assess food allergy or intolerance apps in app stores using the multidimensional Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) to rate the objective and subjective quality and to identify critical points for future improvements. Methods This systematic search identified apps through the keywords “food allergy,” “food intolerance,” and “allergens” in English, Spanish, and Italian in the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). The inclusion criteria were a user star rating of ≥3 (of 5 stars) to limit the selection to the most highly rated apps; ≥1000 reviews as an indicator of reliability; and the most recent update performed up to 2017. Then, the apps were divided according to their purpose (searching for allergen-free “food products,” “restaurants,” or recipes in “meal planners”) and evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5 points using the MARS in terms of (1) app classification category with a descriptive aim; (2) app subjective and objective quality categories comprised of engagement, functionality, esthetics, and information sections (Medline was searched for eligible apps to check whether they had been tested in trials); and (3) an optional app-specific section. Furthermore, the output and input features were evaluated. Differences between MARS sections and between app purposes and correlations among MARS sections, star ratings, and numbers of reviews were evaluated. Results Of the 1376 apps identified, 14 were included: 12 related to food allergies and intolerances that detect 2-16 food allergens and 2 related only to gluten intolerance. The mean (SD) MARS scores (maximum 5 points) were 3.8 (SD 0.4) for objective quality, highlighting whether any app had been tested in trials; 3.5 (SD 0.6) for subjective quality; and 3.6 (SD 0.7) for the app-specific section. Therefore, a rating ≥3 points indicated overall acceptable quality. From the between-section comparison, engagement (mean 3.5, SD 0.6) obtained significantly lower scores than functionality (mean 4.1, SD 0.6), esthetics (mean 4, SD 0.5), and information (mean 3.8, SD 0.4). However, when the apps were compared by purpose, critical points were identified: meal planner apps showed significantly higher engagement (mean 4.1, SD 0.4) than food product (mean 3.0, SD 0.6; P=.05) and restaurant (mean 3.2, SD 0.3; P=.02) apps. Conclusions In this systematic search of food allergy or intolerance apps, acceptable MARS quality was identified, although the engagement section for food product and restaurant purpose apps should be improved and the included apps should be tested in trials. The critical points identified in this systematic search can help improve the innovativeness and applicability of future food allergy and intolerance apps.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Mobile Phone Apps for Food Allergies or Intolerances in App Stores: Systematic Search and Quality Assessment Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS)

Mandracchia

Llauradó

Tarro

et al. 2020

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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“…The evaluation of these apps was performed using MARS. MARS has been successfully applied in recent years to evaluate apps that assist mindfulness development [22], heart failure symptom monitoring and self-management [23], weight management [24], palliative care among pediatric patients [25], epilepsy self-management [26], and drug-drug interaction checking [27]. Our evaluation demonstrated that the overall scores of our apps were comparable with those of apps in the other fields, with the median score of 3.70 (IQR 0.78).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mobile Apps for the Care Management of Chronic Kidney and End-Stage Renal Diseases: Systematic Search in App Stores and Evaluation

Siddique¹,

Krebs²,

Alvarez³

et al. 2019

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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BackgroundNumerous free and low-cost mobile apps for the care management of kidney disease have become available in recent years. Although these appear to be promising tools, they have not been evaluated comparatively based on standard mobile app metrics, and thus, limited evidence is available regarding their efficacy. This study systematically cataloged and assessed mobile apps designed to assist medication compliance and nutrition tracking that are useful to the chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who are on dialysis.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to comprehensively evaluate mobile apps used for medication compliance and nutrition tracking for possible use by CKD and ESRD patients.MethodsA systematic review framework was applied to the search, screening, and assessment of apps identified and downloaded from the iOS and Android app stores. We selected apps using 13 relevant search terms, narrowed down based on a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then used the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), a widely adopted app evaluation tool to assess the effectiveness of apps. The internal consistency and interrater reliability were tested using Cronbach alpha and interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), respectively.ResultsThe MARS total score had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach alpha=.90) and a moderate level of interrater reliability (2-way mixed ICC 0.65). Overall, 11 out of the 12 reviewed apps met the minimum acceptable score of 3.0 in MARS rating. The 3 apps with the highest combined scores were My Kidneys, My Health Handbook (MARS=4.68); My Food Coach (MARS=4.48); and National Kidney Foundation Malaysia (MARS=4.20). The study identified 2 general weaknesses in the existing apps: the apps fell short of accommodating advanced interactive features such as providing motivational feedback and promoting family member and caregiver participations in the app utilization.ConclusionsThe MARS rating system performed well in the app evaluation. The 3 highest ranked apps scored consistently high across the 5 dimensions specified in MARS. These apps were developed in collaboration with reputable organizations and field experts, demonstrating the importance of expert guidance in developing medical apps.

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“…However some of these apps provided good quality, accurate, and comprehensive information about potential DDIs while other apps does not conformed to high standards. This study also identified secondary features such as medication reminder, refill reminder, medication history tracking, and pill identification could help enhance the effectiveness of potential DDI apps [38]. A study found that utilizing clinical decision support software in older adults with cancer was beneficial for detecting DDIs however, variability existed with severity reporting.…”

Section: Strategies For Reducing and Preventing The Risk Of Drug Intementioning

confidence: 99%

Does Drug-drug Interactions Attain Enough Attention from Health Care Providers?

Nm¹

2018

Pharm Anal Acta

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Every year many patients are affected by adverse drug events that result from the complication of drug therapy. Drug-Drug Interactions (DDIs) are an expected subtype of adverse drug events. Most potential DDIs are preventable, but it remains a significant problem to patients and the health care system. Among the risk factors associated to DDIs include older age, comorbidities, polypharmacy and hospital stay for long time. DDIs are a considerable clinical problem in the hospitalized cardiac patients, cancer patients, hypertensive patients, and patients with immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Best management of DDIs involves the assessment of the interaction; decision to prescribe, dispense, or manage the interacting combination; follow-up monitoring and suitable patient counseling. Different studies were performed to detect and avoid DDIs. Different strategies have been introduced to reduce and prevent the risk of DDIs through the improvement of labeling on metabolic profile for new drugs and serious drug-drug and drug -gene combination, determination the effect of new guideline on product labeling changes for elderly patient and patients with polypharmacy. In clinical practice pharmacist can use good information sources; clinicians can use screening software for the detection and management of DDIs; consumers and patients can use decision support systems for potential DDIs and medication reconciliation should be considered by healthcare professionals to reduce medication error.

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Consumer Mobile Apps for Potential Drug-Drug Interaction Check: Systematic Review and Content Analysis Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS)

Cited by 83 publications

References 51 publications

Mobile Phone Apps for Food Allergies or Intolerances in App Stores: Systematic Search and Quality Assessment Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS)

Mobile Phone Apps for Food Allergies or Intolerances in App Stores: Systematic Search and Quality Assessment Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS)

Mobile Apps for the Care Management of Chronic Kidney and End-Stage Renal Diseases: Systematic Search in App Stores and Evaluation

Does Drug-drug Interactions Attain Enough Attention from Health Care Providers?

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