Bridging the gap through telemedicine: Pilot study on the acceptance and use of teledermatology for urticaria.

Abstract

Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) significantly impairs patients' quality of life. Despite advances in diagnosis and therapy, treatment is still unsatisfactory. Telemedicine offers a promising solution to improve treatment. This pilot study assesses the acceptability and utilization of a digital health model for CSU, examines its impact on disease management, and identifies technical challenges.

Patients and methods: In this prospective pilot study, CSU patients at a university hospital in Germany were included. Over 12 months, participants interacted with physicians via a telemedicine platform, which was the study-specific intervention. After each three-month digital visit, symptoms and quality of life were assessed using electronic patient reported outcomes (ePROs) and online questionnaires. In the end, patients and doctors rated the overall satisfaction, the user-friendliness of the platform and the technical challenges.

Results: 24 patients completed the study. The majority (92%) reported that the digital concept could be a promising alternative to traditional consultations. Analysis from baseline to end of study revealed that disease control remained stable while quality of life improved. All physicians found the digital application reliable and time-saving.

Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility and high acceptance of a digital health model for the management of CSU. Further research with larger cohorts is needed and planned to determine broader applicability.