The feasibility and acceptability of a (mobile) application for men with lower urinary tract symptoms: a pilot study

The growing use of smartphones offers a key opportunity to monitor BPO/LUTS through well-designed medical apps. The primary objective of the study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile app (MyBPHCare) for men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Secondary objectives included medical adherence using electronic reminders and compliance of treatment with current guidelines.

This was an observational cohort pilot study conducted in Greece, Türkiye, and Italy. Patients with LUTS, treatment-naïve or under treatment, older than 40 years were eligible. Patients received standard care according to physician's practice and duration of follow-up was 6 months. Standard questionnaires, diagnostic tools, medication, and follow-up visits were employed. Feasibility, acceptance, and satisfaction were assessed using a standardized, translated and validated app rating user questionnaire (uMARS). Patients' adherence to treatment and physicians' with guidelines were also recorded.

From a total of 157 patients, 68.15% filled in the uMARS questionnaire. All uMARS mean scores ranged between "Acceptable" and "Good": App Quality (3.43), Engagement (3.21), Functionality (3.47), Aesthetics (3.37), and Information (3.68). 96.3% of the participants would recommend using the app. Recorded adherence to medication was 47.85%, while a discrepancy between guidelines and real-life practice was found.

MyBPHCare app is a possibly feasible application for virtually monitoring men with LUTS with good acceptance from the patients.