Mobile Health Apps: A New Tool for Hypertension Management

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a serious health issue that can lead to heart and kidney diseases. Each year, it is responsible for around 8.5 million deaths worldwide. Many people have hypertension, and the number has grown significantly – from 650 million in 1990 to 1.28 billion in 2019. Alarmingly, over 700 million people with hypertension do not receive treatment. Because of these staggering numbers, it is crucial to identify those who have untreated high blood pressure and to manage it properly, mostly through affordable Medications.

#The Importance of Detection and Management

Identifying hypertension is relatively easy in community health settings. With appropriate drug therapy, it can be managed effectively. Using medications for hypertension can prevent the onset of heart disease and other serious health issues. To address the growing number of people with untreated hypertension, efforts are being made globally to raise awareness and improve access to healthcare services. However, there is a lack of solid evidence supporting the start of medication for those who have untreated hypertension.

#Mobile Health Apps for Patients

Mobile health applications, known as MHealth Apps, are programs used on smartphones and devices that promote better health. These apps offer a variety of services, including disease prevention, management, and support for mental health. For patients with hypertension, mHealth apps can encourage necessary lifestyle changes, promote medication adherence, and motivate people to start their treatment.

One such app is called Kencom. It helps users keep track of their daily activities, like weight and the number of steps walked, while also providing valuable health information.

#Overview of the Kencom App

Kencom is developed by DeSC Healthcare Corporation in Japan and is available on both iOS and Android devices. To use the app for free, individuals must live in Japan, be 19 or older, and belong to a social insurance labor association, which is part of Japan’s universal health coverage.

#Key Features of Kencom

Kencom includes five main features:

1. Viewing Health Data: Users can see their health checkup results without needing to enter the information manually.
2. Daily Monitoring and Goal Setting: The app counts steps using the phone's pedometer, allowing users to monitor their activity and set daily goals.
3. Health Information: The app offers health resources to help improve knowledge about lifestyle and health risks, reviewed by medical professionals.
4. Team Competitions: Kencom regularly organizes exercise challenges where teams compete based on the total number of steps taken, promoting teamwork and motivation.
5. Incentives: Users earn points for using the app, which can be exchanged for gift certificates.

#Data Usage and Patient Privacy

This study used an integrated database from DeSC Healthcare Corporation, which combines data from health checkups, health insurance claims, and Kencom app usage. All data are anonymized to protect user privacy, based on an agreement that allows users to know how their data might be used and to request deletion if desired.

#Target Group for the Study

The study looked at 66,339 individuals with untreated hypertension. Untreated hypertension is defined as having a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or more or a diastolic pressure of 90 mmHg or more without currently taking any medications. Several participants were removed from the analysis if they were younger than 20, had incomplete lab data, or did not have follow-up data for more than a year.

#Examining the Effect of Kencom

The main aim was to see if using the Kencom app helped patients begin taking hypertension medications. The analysis split participants into two groups: those who downloaded the app and those who did not. Users had health data collected before they downloaded the app, while non-users had data from their first checkup.

#Key Findings on Medication Initiation

The key finding was the difference in rates of starting antihypertensive medications between app users and non-users. Users had a higher initiation rate, 23.4%, compared to 18.5% for non-users. Using statistics, the study confirmed a strong link between app usage and starting medication.

#Lifestyle Changes from Using Kencom

Another interesting result showed how the app influenced users' lifestyles. Many users reported better exercise and eating habits compared to non-users. For instance, those who did not engage in regular exercise before began doing so after using Kencom. This improvement in lifestyle is potentially linked to users better understanding the importance of managing their health.

#Detailed Analysis of Different Groups

Further analysis showed that younger patients were more likely to benefit from the app than older patients. For those without metabolic syndrome, or a cluster of conditions that increase heart disease risk, the app also showed a stronger impact.

Regardless of how severe their hypertension was, app users consistently started medication at higher rates than non-users. This suggests that Kencom could effectively motivate patients to seek and start the necessary treatment.

#Importance of Health Literacy

Health literacy, the ability to read and understand health information, plays a crucial part in managing conditions like hypertension. Individuals with better health literacy are likely to know about their health status, the risks associated with hypertension, and the importance of regular checkups. Those who lack this knowledge might remain untreated, leading to significant health issues.

Improving health literacy involves increasing awareness of diseases, providing clear information about managing their health, and ensuring access to medical care. mHealth apps can be an effective tool in this regard, as they offer information and support to patients.

#Strengths and Limitations of the Study

This study stands out because it focuses on untreated hypertension, a common issue that often goes unaddressed until patients seek further care. The findings suggest mHealth apps can effectively encourage people to start their hypertension treatment, especially among younger populations.

Yet, there are limitations. Most participants in this study were healthy Japanese individuals, which may not represent other populations. Additionally, some factors that could affect results were not measured, but the analyses still showed consistent outcomes.

#Conclusion

Using mHealth apps like Kencom has shown positive results in helping people with untreated hypertension begin their medication. The app encourages users to track their daily activities, improve their health knowledge, and subsequently take the necessary steps toward managing their condition.

As more people use these applications, the potential for reducing untreated hypertension and its associated risks could lead to a healthier population overall. By focusing on preventive measures and early treatment, the likelihood of developing serious health problems in the future could decrease significantly, benefiting both individual and public health.