Contribution of Flexig mobile application to assess adherence of patients treated with immunoglobulins in chronic diseases

BACKGROUND: Long-term therapeutic adherence remains an essential challenge for better management of chronic diseases. It is estimated at 50% in developed countries. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate, under real conditions, the influence of satisfaction with Flexig use on adherence to subcutaneous immunoglobulin home-treatment therapy in a sample of French patients with chronic dysimmune diseases. METHODS: This is a 2-year prospective cohort involving 241 patients from several hospitals in France whose data were extracted from the Flexig 2.0 mHealth application. Satisfaction was assessed by System Usability Scale (SUS) and user experience by User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). Adherence to Ig therapy was assessed by medication possession rate. We analyzed the relationship between Flexig user satisfaction and adherence to treatment, as well as determinants of adherence. RESULTS: Most patients (82.7%) were being treated for an immunodeficiency, versus 17.3% for a chronic autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Almost all patients (97.9%) received subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy. The patients’ ages (means ± SDs) were 36.5 ± 18.3 years, disease duration was about 6 years, and 58.5% were men. Flexig user satisfaction was 76.2 ± 8 (System Usability Scale), associated with good user experience reported on UEQ. Adherence rate was 99.7%. Time on app, disease duration, and Flexig user satisfaction were statistically predictive of adherence to IgG therapy. High adherence to Ig therapy was associated with good satisfaction with using Flexig (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Adherence to Ig therapy in chronic dysimmune disease was strong and was associated with good satisfaction among Flexig users, suggesting that electronic support may be a valuable compliance aid.