Development and Validation of an Application for Follow-up of Patients Undergoing Dialysis: NefroPortátil

Objectives: To develop the NefroPortatil mobile application (app) and evaluate its effects on the management of patients undergoing dialysis.

Methods: The first stage of the work was the development, installation, and establishment of the instructions to use the phone app as an instrument to aid in the control of fluid and food intake of 52 patients undergoing dialysis. In the second stage, the patients were monitored for 3 months and evaluated using questionnaires to measure the improvement in quality of life (Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument) and self-management of disease (Perceived Medical Condition Self-Management Scale) by the app. In addition, laboratory tests were performed before app use and in the first, second, and third months of its use (January to April 2018). Analysis of variance was used to analyze the laboratory data, and a paired Student's t test was used to analyze the responses to the questionnaires and as a posttest (P < .05).

Results: Among the laboratory test results, serum phosphorus levels showed a significant difference (P < .04) after the app was used. A significant improvement was observed in self-management of the disease according to the Perceived Medical Condition Self-Management Scale questionnaire (P < .03). The usability of the app reached a median score of 9.65 from a total score of 10.

Conclusion: The NefroPortatil app improved the degree of perception of self-care of patients undergoing dialysis with chronic kidney failure, in addition to favoring nutritional control.