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Content and functionality features of voiding diary applications for mobile devices in Brazil: a descriptive analysis

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Abstract

Introduction and hypothesis

A voiding diary is a method to investigate lower urinary tract symptoms. The purpose was to elaborate a descriptive analysis of nonpaid voiding diaries for mobile applications and to compare them regarding their quality.

Methods

We searched the platforms of iTunes (Apple Inc., Brazil) and Google Play (Google Inc., Brazil) using the keywords: “voiding diary,” “bladder diary,” “urinary diary,” “urinary incontinence,” and “pelvic floor.” Inclusion criteria were: apps free of charge and specific for voiding diaries in the Portuguese, Spanish, French, or English language. Exclusion criteria were: access or technical problems and pediatric apps. We quantitatively analyzed and compared the apps with each other according to their functionality features and voiding diary topics (type and volume of fluid intake, voiding episodes and volume, type and episodes of incontinence, amount of leakage, urgency, and use of pads and nocturia). We rated the apps using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), whose scores for each feature vary from 1 (worst score) to 5 (best score).

Results

Fifty-five apps were eligible; 16 were included for analyses. None presented all 11 topics of the voiding diary, and the median number of available features was 6 (3.75–7). “Incontinence episodes” was present in eight apps, and "nocturia" was present in five. The mean score of apps ranged between 1.7 and 4.5.

Conclusion

There is variation in the content of voiding topics among the apps. Patients and professionals should choose the app based on the topics of most or particular interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiotherapy, Communication Sciences & Disorders and Occupational Therapy. Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, R. Cipotânea, 51 - Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, ZIP Code: 05360-000, Brazil

    Natalie Alves Vaccari, Leda Tomiko Yamada da Silveira & Elizabeth Alves Gonçalves Ferreira

  2. Department of Gynecology, Urogynecology Section, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Maria Augusta Tezelli Bortolini

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urogynecology Section, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Jorge Milhem Haddad

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Edmund Chada Baracat

Authors
  1. Natalie Alves Vaccari
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  2. Leda Tomiko Yamada da Silveira
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  3. Maria Augusta Tezelli Bortolini
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  4. Jorge Milhem Haddad
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  5. Edmund Chada Baracat
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  6. Elizabeth Alves Gonçalves Ferreira
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Contributions

NA Vaccari: project development, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing.

LTY Silveira: project development, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing.

MAT Bortolini: project development, data analysis, manuscript writing and editing.

JM Haddad: project development, data analysis, manuscript writing and editing.

EC Baracat: project development, data analysis, manuscript writing.

EAG Ferreira: project development, project coordination, data analysis, manuscript writing and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elizabeth Alves Gonçalves Ferreira.

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Vaccari, N.A., da Silveira, L.T.Y., Bortolini, M.A.T. et al. Content and functionality features of voiding diary applications for mobile devices in Brazil: a descriptive analysis. Int Urogynecol J 31, 2573–2581 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-020-04382-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-020-04382-6

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