Adherence to a novel home phototherapy system with integrated features
Abstract
Objective: To measure adherence using a novel home UVB phototherapy system designed to promote adherence.
Study Design: A retrospective, observational study conducted to evaluate patients' adherence to a prescribed three-times-per-week treatment protocol using a novel home phototherapy system with integrated features designed to improve adherence.
Methods: Data was collected from 18 psoriasis patients, 27 vitiligo patients, and three atopic dermatitis patients using a novel home phototherapy system under normal use conditions. Adherence was also calculated using two alternative methods to allow for comparison between published phototherapy adherence studies.
Results: The median patient adherence (N= 48) to treatment with the home phototherapy system was 80%. There were no significant differences in adherence between different ages, genders, or diseases (P>0.05). Early adherence (N=48) to the home phototherapy system was 90% and dichotomous adherence (N=32) was 71%.
Conclusions: By implementing a smartphone application and web-based portal with the home phototherapy system, patients have multiple mechanisms in place to ensure adherence.