Ascertaining Medication Use and Patient-Reported Outcomes via an App and Exploring Gamification in Patients With...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Neuroscience
• Pharmacovigilance

Background:

• The BETACONNECT autoinjector and myBETAapp facilitate digital observational studies for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients on interferon β-1b.
• A pilot study confirmed the app's feasibility for patient recruitment, consent, and behavior assessment over six months.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze 1-year medication-taking behavior in MS patients using the myBETAapp.
• To collect patient-reported outcomes (PROs) via the app.
• To assess the feasibility of gamification using the PEAK cognitive training tool.

Main Methods:

• Prospective and retrospective digital observational cohort study of myBETAapp users in Germany.
• Data collection included prospective (1-year) and retrospective injection data.
• Electronic PRO instruments (EQ-5D-5L, TSQM) were administered every three months.

Main Results:

• High compliance (median 98.9%) observed over one year; persistence and adherence decreased from 6 to 12 months.
• Persistence and adherence were higher in men than women.
• PRO data showed women experienced more issues in certain EQ-5D-5L dimensions and had lower TSQM scores.

Conclusions:

• High compliance with interferon β-1b therapy was observed in MS patients using the myBETAapp.
• Persistence and adherence declined over the 1-year study period.
• Digital observational studies can effectively incorporate remotely collected electronic PROs.