Introduction
In the recent Urticaria Centers of Reference and Excellence (UCARE) study, CURICT, we assessed use and interest in information and communications technologies (ICTs) for patients with chronic urticaria (CU).1,2 We found that almost all CU patients had access to ICTs and most were using these regularly to obtain health and disease-related information.1 Specifically, most patients with CU were interested in ICTs to receive disease information and to communicate with their physicians and other patients about their urticaria.2
ICTs such as mobile phone applications (apps) would enable patients to (i) self-evaluate their disease activity, impact, and control, (ii) improve self-management and (iii) optimize their therapy including allergic comorbidities. Yet, very recently Antó et al (2021) reported a global paucity of such apps for patients with CU.3 To date, the unmet need for suitable apps from the patient’s point of view remains unknown.
Objective: Using questions from the CURICT study, we assessed patient interest in using apps to monitor CU disease activity and control.