Mobile App/Web Platform for Monitoring Food Oral Immunotherapy in Children: Longitudinal Clinical Validation Study

• Published in: JMIR pediatrics and parenting 2024-03, Vol.7, p.e54163-e54163
• Main Authors: Sánchez-Fernández, Sergio, Lasa, Eva María, Terrados, Soledad, Sola-Martínez, Francisco Javier, Martínez-Molina, Sara, López de Calle, Marta, Cabrera-Freitag, Paula, Goikoetxea, María José
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allergens; Anaphylaxis; Caregivers; Food allergies; Hospitals; Immunotherapy; Original Paper; Patients; Pediatrics; Quality of life; Smartphones
• ISSN: 2561-6722; 2561-6722
• DOI: 10.2196/54163

Milk and egg allergies significantly impact the quality of life, particularly in children. In this regard, food oral immunotherapy (OIT) has emerged as an effective treatment option; however, the occurrence of frequent adverse reactions poses a challenge, necessitating close monitoring during treatment. This study aims to evaluate the ability of a new mobile/web app called OITcontrol to monitor milk and egg OIT. Patients undergoing milk or egg OIT were recruited and divided into 2 groups: the active group used the OITcontrol app in conjunction with standard written monitoring methods, whereas the control group relied solely on written diaries. Investigators documented hospital doses, hospital reactions, and administered treatments on the website. Patients recorded their daily allergen home-dose intake, home reactions, and administered treatments using the app. The following variables were compared between both groups: number and severity of hospital and reported home reactions, patient's adhesion to the OITcontrol app or written diary or both in terms of daily home-dose intake and home reactions recording, and treatment and dose adjustment compliance at home in case of reaction. Sixteen patients were assigned to be monitored using the OITcontrol app along with additional written methods (active group), while 14 patients relied solely on a written paper diary (control group). A similar distribution was observed in terms of sex, age, basal characteristics, allergen treated in OIT, premedication, and sensitization profile. Active patients reported a comparable number of hospital and home reactions compared with the control group. In terms of recording system usage, 13/16 (81%) active patients used the OITcontrol app, while 10/14 (71%) control patients relied on the written diary. Among active patients, 6/16 (38%) used both methods, and 1 active patient used only written methods. However, control patients recorded home reactions more frequently than active patients (P=.009). Among active patients, the app was the preferred method for recording reactions (59/86, 69%), compared with the written diary (15/86, 17%) or both methods (12/86, 14%; P