Symptom reporting in patients with primary biliary cholangitis

• Verfasst von: Daza Barragán, Jimmy Andres [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Espinosa-Montagut, Nathally [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Kautz, Achim [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Langenbacher, Diane [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Hetjens, Michael [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Siegel, Fabian [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Ebert, Matthias [VerfasserIn]
• Verfasst von: Teufel, Andreas [VerfasserIn]
• Titel: Symptom reporting in patients with primary biliary cholangitis
• Titelzusatz: higher burden of symptom detection using an interactive app
• Verf.angabe: Jimmy Daza, Nathally Espinosa-Montagut, Achim Kautz, Diane Langenbacher, Michael Hetjens, Fabian Siegel, Matthias P. Ebert, Andreas Teufel
• E-Jahr: 2025
• Jahr: April 2025
• Umfang: 9 S.
• Fussnoten: Online veröffentlicht: 14. Januar 2025 ; Gesehen am 05.06.2025
• Titel Quelle: Enthalten in: Digestive diseases
• Ort Quelle: Basel : Karger, 1983
• Jahr Quelle: 2025
• Band/Heft Quelle: 43(2025), 2 vom: Apr., Seite 170-178
• ISSN Quelle: 1421-9875
• DOI: doi:10.1159/000543229
• Datenträger: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: eng
• K10plus-PPN: 1927578701

Abstract

Introduction: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease causing bile duct destruction and inflammation, impacting patient’s quality of life (QoL) due to variable symptoms. Digital symptom-tracker apps may improve patient care through enhanced monitoring. This study reassessed symptom burden in PBC patients using a tailored symptom-tracker app, focusing on its usability, effectiveness, and impact on management and QoL. Methods: Based on Kautz5 gUG “Symptomtracker,” our app in REDCap allowed users to log PBC symptoms over 4 weeks, alongside medication use. Ethics approval and data security complied with German regulations. User feedback was incorporated for better usability. Symptom data were standardized, and R software was used for descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests. Results: From March 2023 to October 2024, 210 patients (190 female, 20 male) were enrolled, median age 51 years. Among 90 patients who completed the questionnaire, fatigue was most prevalent (87.8%), followed by joint pain (80%), concentration difficulties (74.4%), abdominal discomfort (70%), and sicca symptoms. Other common symptoms were leg cramps (50%) and swollen feet (40%); jaundice was rare (7.8%). Older patients, especially those aged 50-60, reported a higher symptom burden, but Chi-square tests showed no significant differences across age or gender. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant symptom burden in PBC, particularly fatigue and joint pain. While older patients reported more symptoms, no significant differences were observed by age or gender. The symptom-tracker app enhanced monitoring and patient engagement, showing the potential of digital tools in PBC management. Further research is needed to evaluate long-term impacts.