AB0807\u2005FOLLOW-UP OF PATIENTSWITH HIP OSTEOARTHRITIS WHO RECEIVED VISCOSUPPLEMENTATION: HOW NEW TECHNOLOGIES CAN HELP

Abstract

Background Digital health innovations have opened up several opportunities to help patients with rheumatologic conditions and their treating clinicians in improving routine healthcare. Objectives To evaluate the applicability of a wearable smartwatch for monitoring patients with hip osteoarthritis who received viscosupplementation. Samsung Electronics Italia and MDApp srl supported the present study. Methods Consecutive patients with hip osteoarthritis who received viscosupplementation with jaluronic acid between November 2017 and May 2018 were enrolled in this observational study. All patients gave their informed consent. A Samsung Gear smartwatch was given to each patient and was worn during the day for measuring daily steps, walking distance, and mean velocity. Patients were asked to wear the smartwatch starting from one week before infiltration (T0), until two weeks before (T1). Patients were assessed with Lequesne index and WOMAC score at T0 and T1. Results Overall, 24 patients (7 male and 17 female, mean age 44 years-old) were enrolled. Of these, 70% has worn the smartwatch for most of the time (range 90-100%). An improvement of velocity (45%), an increase of daily steps (29%), and walking distance (25%) were seen. Similarly, Lequesne index and WOMAC score were consistent with subjective improvement. Most of the patients (95%) declared to be satisfied with this digital health study. Conclusion Samsung smartwatches proved to be an effective tool for tracking and recording medical parameters linked with perceived general health. Health technologies are more than an accessories and could be useful in chronic musculo-skeletal diseases because they allow to ease remote diagnosis and to monitor patients’ symptoms and clinical response. Telemedicine could fill the gap between patients and healthcare, with a reproducible and objective tool, enhancing patients’ engagement with the treatment plan. The high patients’ satisfaction further support the use of digital health technology. Reference [1] Kataria S, Digital Health: a new dimension in rheumatology patient care. Rheumatol Int. 2018 Disclosure of Interests Mariaeva Romano Speakers bureau: janssen, Laura Belloli: None declared, Elisa Verduci: None declared, Cinzia Casu: None declared, Valeria Campanella: None declared, Marina Muscarà: None declared, Davide Antonio Filippini: None declared, Emanuela Schito: None declared, Maria Di Cicco: None declared, Oscar Massimiliano Epis Speakers bureau: BMS