Purpose of App Review
- How useful is the HAE app in helping patients being treated for hereditary angioedema (HAE)?
Introduction
Hereditary angioedema is a blood disorder that results in sporadic edema of the face, extremities, airway and genitals. The HAE Therapy Tracker medical app is developed by ViroPharma Biologics for patients that are getting treated for HAE with CINRYZE®, a C1 esterase inhibitor. C1 esterase inhibitor is a protein made normally in our bodies to help us balance inflammation throughout our bodies.
In patients with HAE, this protein is deficient and CINRYZE® is a man-made replacement that is used to treat these patients. The app was created to help patients record their attacks, remind them to take their medications, as well as keep track of their doctor appointments.
User Interface
The HAE Therapy Tracker app is very easy to use and has instructions on how to use the app correctly.
The app has a simple “+” sign that allows the user to add certain events to the app’s calendar. These events include an infusion/medication reminder, a doctor’s appointment and when attacks happen. For each type of event, the app allows the user to input more detailed information such as the time, date, length of attack, dose of medication, etc.
Most of the additional information that can be added includes preset answers that come with the app, but there is also the option for the user to add their own description. This option is great for patients to keep records that are more individualized to their needs.
The app also has the option to set reminders for doctor’s appointments and medications. This can be very useful for patients who are trying to stay compliant with their treatment.
In addition, even though this app is made for patients who are taking CINRYZE®, the app has the option to add reminders for other medications as well. The only option I would have liked to have seen was the ability to set reminders that can repeat, for example “Every Monday.” Instead, with this app, you need to manually add each date separately for each reminder. All of the reminders that are created can be seen on the calendar on the main screen.
This app also allows the user to export their data via email or by printing it. The data can be sorted by doctor appointments, medication reminders, as well as attacks within a certain date range. As mentioned, the information can then be printed or emailed as a PDF file.
The app also includes a lot of useful information regarding CINRYZE® within the information tab as well as contact information.
Price
- Free
Likes
- Very easy to use and great design
- Ability to add additional information to each entry
- Reminders for medications and doctor’s appointments
- Option to export data in PDF format
Dislikes
- There is no option to add reminders that can be set to repeat
Patients that would benefit from the app
- Patients who are currently being treated for Hereditary Angioedema (HAE).
Conclusion
- This app is a great tool for patients with HAE. The app is very well developed and can be a very useful tool to improve compliance as well as treatment for patients suffering from HAE. This app is not currently available for the Android platform.
iMedicalApps recommended?
- Yes
Type of Device used to review app: iPhone 4
Version of App:1.0
Rating: (1 to 5 stars)
- Overall rating 3.5
- User Interface – 5/5. Great layout and very easy to use and navigate.
- Multimedia usage – N/A
- Price – 5/5. Free
- Real world applicability – 4.5/5. This app can be very useful daily for patients who are being treated for HAE. Not only can it help remind patients about their doctor appointments and when to take their medications, this medical app can be a useful tool for them to record specifics about their attacks to share with their physician. The app allows for flexibility with the information the patient is capable of entering which allows for a personalized method of record keeping as well.
Disclaimer:
This post does not establish, nor is it intended to establish, a patient physician relationship with anyone. It does not substitute for professional advice, and does not substitute for an in-person evaluation with your health care provider. It does not provide the definitive statement on the subject addressed. Before using these apps please consult with your own physician or health care provider as to the apps validity and accuracy as this post is not intended to affirm the validity or accuracy of the apps in question. The app(s) mentioned in this post should not be used without discussing the app first with your health care provider.
