The Effect of Mobile Application on Subcutaneous Anti-TNF Drug Administration in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients: A Randomized Experimental Study

Objective: This study was conducted to develop an Android mobile application for the subcutaneous (SC) administration of anti-TNF drugs in ankylosing spondylitis patients and to evaluate its effect on drug administration. Methods: In the first stage of this randomized experimental study, a mobile application for SC antiTNF drug therapy was developed. In the second stage, 32 patients who met the sampling criteria were randomized to mobil and booklet groups. Patients in both groups were evaluated using the Individual Identification Form, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Scale (ASQoL) and Subcutaneous Anti-TNF Treatment Questionnaire once every 6 weeks for 6 months. Results: In the first stage, the concordance coefficient of the five experts' opinions on the information provided in the mobile application was calculated as W:0.272, P=.130. For both patient groups, the mean scores of BASDAI, BASFI, and ASQoL were statistically significantly lower at the last evaluation than at the first. More patients in the education booklet group had their medication applied by someone else (P=.011). Conclusion: The mobile application developed for SC anti-TNF therapy in AS patients is highly informative and reliable, and it facilitates the administration of SC anti-TNF drugs to patients.