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View AllLearning from patient conversations
Perception and use of reversible contraceptive methods in Germany: a social listening analysis
Social media provides valuable information about user experiences with contraceptives, which can then be employed to monitor contraceptive prevalence patterns and attitudes within a large population in a very short span of time. A good understanding of how various contraceptives are currently perceived helps in identifying strategies for improving existing family planning policies. We have outlined a summary of the study findings in our blog post.
Balakrishnan, P., Kroiss, C., Keskes, T., & Friedrich, B. (2023). Perception and use of reversible contraceptive methods in Germany: A social listening analysis. Women’s Health (London, England), 19, 17455057221147390.
Real-world data to manage patient care
The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prescription of multiple sclerosis medication in Germany
The study used data from 539,400 prescriptions that included at least one multiple sclerosis drug. Real-world prescription data show that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of MS medications and co-prescribed antidepressants was stable. These insights from real-world data demonstrate the value of evidence-based insights for managing patient care.
Orschiedt, J., Jacyshyn-Owen, E., Kahn, M., Jansen, S., Joschko, N., Eberl, M., … Ziemssen, T. (2023). The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prescription of multiple sclerosis medication in Germany. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 158(114129), 114129.
Monitoring chronic disorders
Real-world demographic patterns of users of a digital primary prevention service for lifestyle-associated metabolic disorders
The findings of this study highlight the utility of app data in collecting real-world insights, which allows us to monitor the prevalence of chronic metabolic disorders and associated risk factors over time.
Balakrishnan, P., Jacyshyn-Owen, E., Eberl, M., Friedrich, B., & Etter, T. (2023). Real-world demographic patterns of users of a digital primary prevention service for diabetes. Cardiovascular Endocrinology & Metabolism, 12(1), e0275.
Behavioral change with a digital companion
A retrospective real-world observational pilot analysis of Waya: a self-monitoring fitness app in Germany
The findings of the study show that digital health companions can support patients in making healthier choices regarding nutrition and exercise, thereby supporting the weight loss process. Improving and monitoring these factors will contribute to reducing cardiometabolic diseases and presents a valuable addition to traditional counseling.
Balakrishnan, P., Owen, E., Eberl, M., Friedrich, B., & Etter, T. (2022). A retrospective real-world observational pilot analysis of Waya: a self-monitoring fitness app in Germany. Cardiovascular Endocrinology & Metabolism, 11(3), e0266.
Reaching patient-centricity with app data
Demographic patterns of MS patients using BRISA: an MS-specific app in Germany
One of the key insights from the study is the wide diversity among MS patients and the need for extensive cohort characterization in the real-world scenario. Drugs for first-line treatment were most frequently used, followed by high-efficacy drugs. The relative frequencies of use of first-line and second-line treatment changed significantly with time since diagnosis. The study also identified the top five symptoms affecting users, thereby providing valuable insights from the patient's perspective.
Balakrishnan, P., Groenberg, J., Jacyshyn-Owen, E., Eberl, M., Friedrich, B., Joschko, N., & Ziemssen, T. (2022). Demographic patterns of MS patients using BRISA: An MS-specific app in Germany. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 12(7), 1100.
Therapy monitoring of digital companions
The burden of incontinence in a real-world data environment: insights from a digital patient companion
The use of real-world data generated by digital health solutions offers the opportunity to gain insight into the reality of patients' lives. In this study, we corroborate the known associations between number of children and urinary incontinence and its massive influence on the quality of life. The insights demonstrate that the use of digital apps can make an important contribution to scientific data acquisition and therapy monitoring.
von Au, A., Wallwiener, S., Matthies, L. M., Friedrich, B., Keim, S., Wallwiener, M., Reisenauer, C., Brugger, S. (2022). The burden of incontinence in a real-world data environment-insights from a digital patient companion. International Urogynecology Journal, 33(4), 977–984.
