P487 The feasibility of a digital platform for improving disease management among patients with Ulcerative Colitis

Background Ulcerative colitis is an idiopathic inflammatory condition of the colon and is the most common form of inflammatory bowel disease worldwide. It is a systemic disorder with no cure and therefore needs lifelong monitoring and management. This study’s objective was to assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of using a digital therapeutic intervention to improve disease management among patients with ulcerative colitis. Methods Nine patients were recruited by the Finnish Crohn’s and Colitis Patient Association to participate in a 4-week intervention via a digital platform (Sidekick Health). The primary outcomes included patient ratings of the platform and its therapeutic effects and patient reports of quality of life, physical activity, and medication adherence (on a scale from 0–10). Questionnaires were administered before and after the intervention. The study was conducted during the spring of 2019. Results All nine participants completed the intervention (age-range=25–45, eight females and one male). Although not statistically significant, on average, all measures showed improvements from pre to post-intervention: quality of life improved for 7/9 participants (an average improvement of 10.3%), physical activity increased for 6/9 participants (an average of 3.3% increase). Also, medication adherence improved among 6/9 participants (improvement by 6.4% on average), supported by platform data indicating that 8/9 participants had used the platform medication reminders. In 86% of the daily reminders, they were acted upon and rewarded within the platform. Post-program, patients reported their experience of the program and when asked if they would recommend the program to others, the average score was 8.67 out of 10 possible. Also, 8/9 participants agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that the program had changed their health for the better. Conclusion This small feasibility study suggests a digital therapeutic intervention is feasible and possibly an effective way to improve disease management among patients with ulcerative colitis. A more extensive study of this intervention is warranted.