Polleninformations-Apps für Pollenallergiker – die Voraussetzungen für eine nützliche App und Vorteile für Betroffene

Berger, Uwe; Bastl, Katharina; Berger, Michelle; Bergmann, K.-C.; Kmenta, Maximilian

doi:10.5414/atx02171

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Mobile apps dealing with allergen avoidance with the aim of supporting pollen allergy sufferers should fulfill certain criteria and functionalities, among them easily understandable pollen forecasts, a minimum of forecasted aeroallergens, botanical information, symptom diaries, allergy risk questionnaires, and an imprint with the publisher of the app stating the responsible institution, at best without conflict of interests [ 20 ]. Herein, it should be noted that advertisement is common in pollen information apps, especially if the publisher is a company and not directly involved in pollen forecasting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Simultaneously, the identity of the publishers of such apps with health-related content for pollen allergy sufferers has not been available. Also, studies on apps with a focus on pollen allergies and allergen prevention are still rare [ 20 , 21 ]. Five of the apps examined herein were included in a study by Berger et al [ 20 ] evaluated concerning their functionality and content.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, studies on apps with a focus on pollen allergies and allergen prevention are still rare [ 20 , 21 ]. Five of the apps examined herein were included in a study by Berger et al [ 20 ] evaluated concerning their functionality and content. The criteria in the Berger et al study were different from this study and examined the app from a formal point of view, but did not consider the quality of the pollen forecast itself.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Pollen Apps Forecasts: The Need for Quality Control in an eHealth Service

2017

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BackgroundPollen forecasts are highly valuable for allergen avoidance and thus raising the quality of life of persons concerned by pollen allergies. They are considered as valuable free services for the public. Careful scientific evaluation of pollen forecasts in terms of accurateness and reliability has not been available till date.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyze 9 mobile apps, which deliver pollen information and pollen forecasts, with a focus on their accurateness regarding the prediction of the pollen load in the grass pollen season 2016 to assess their usefulness for pollen allergy sufferers.MethodsThe following number of apps was evaluated for each location: 3 apps for Vienna (Austria), 4 apps for Berlin (Germany), and 1 app each for Basel (Switzerland) and London (United Kingdom). All mobile apps were freely available. Today’s grass pollen forecast was compared throughout the defined grass pollen season at each respective location with measured grass pollen concentrations. Hit rates were calculated for the exact performance and for a tolerance in a range of ±2 and ±4 pollen per cubic meter.ResultsIn general, for most apps, hit rates score around 50% (6 apps). It was found that 1 app showed better results, whereas 3 apps performed less well. Hit rates increased when calculated with tolerances for most apps. In contrast, the forecast for the “readiness to flower” for grasses was performed at a sufficiently accurate level, although only two apps provided such a forecast. The last of those forecasts coincided with the first moderate grass pollen load on the predicted day or 3 days after and performed even from about a month before well within the range of 3 days. Advertisement was present in 3 of the 9 analyzed apps, whereas an imprint mentioning institutions with experience in pollen forecasting was present in only three other apps.ConclusionsThe quality of pollen forecasts is in need of improvement, and quality control for pollen forecasts is recommended to avoid potential harm to pollen allergy sufferers due to inadequate forecasts. The inclusion of information on reliability of provided forecasts and a similar handling regarding probabilistic weather forecasts should be considered.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Pollen Apps Forecasts: The Need for Quality Control in an eHealth Service

2017

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Evaluation of a Mobile Phone App for Patients With Pollen-Related Allergic Rhinitis: Prospective Longitudinal Field Study

Glattacker¹,

Boeker²,

Anger³

et al. 2020

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth

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Background Mobile health apps have great potential to support the self-management of chronic conditions such as allergic diseases, which constitute significant challenges in health care. However, the health app market is confusing for users, as it is vast, dynamic, and lacks scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of the apps on offer. To our knowledge, no health app for pollen-related allergic rhinitis has been evaluated. Objective The aim of our study was to evaluate the Husteblume mobile phone health app, developed in Germany to facilitate the self-management of pollen-related allergic rhinitis. Methods We evaluated usability and changes in quality of life, health literacy, and self-efficacy for managing one’s chronic disease. We conducted 2 online surveys of registered users of the app, 1 before and 1 after the 2017 pollen season, allowing for the analysis of both cross-sectional and longitudinal data in a field setting. Results The sample comprised 661 app users at the first measurement point and 143 users at follow-up. The subgroup of study participants at follow-up rated the usability of the app as good or very good. There were no significant changes in patient-reported outcomes such as quality of life, health literacy, and self-efficacy between the 2 measurement points (P>.05). However, those reached at follow-up perceived subjective improvements due to the app: 55.9% (80/143) reported being subjectively better informed about their allergy, 27.3% (39/143) noted improved quality of life, 33.6% (48/143) reported subjectively better coping with their allergy, and 28.0% (40/143) felt better prepared for the consultation with their physician. Finally, 90.9% (130/143) users did not identify any adverse effects of the app. Conclusions Despite some methodological caveats, the results of the evaluation of the Husteblume app are encouraging for the subgroup using the app in the long term. However, further studies evaluating the effectiveness of the app are needed. Trial Registration German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00011897; https://tinyurl.com/yxxrg9av

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Polleninformations-Apps für Pollenallergiker – die Voraussetzungen für eine nützliche App und Vorteile für Betroffene

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Evaluation of Pollen Apps Forecasts: The Need for Quality Control in an eHealth Service

Evaluation of Pollen Apps Forecasts: The Need for Quality Control in an eHealth Service

Evaluation of a Mobile Phone App for Patients With Pollen-Related Allergic Rhinitis: Prospective Longitudinal Field Study

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