Usability Evaluation of a Smartphone Medication Reminder Application in Patients Treated With Short-term Antibiotic.

Medication adherence is poor in persons with chronic disease, especially in those with multiple chronic diseases, one of which is a psychological disorder. Social support, medication education, and external reminders have been identified as facilitators of adherence. Mobile health applications have the potential to enhance adherence; however, it is unknown if publicly available applications are user-friendly and useful. We aimed to examine the usability and feasibility of the "MediSafe" medication reminder application in adults with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome undergoing short-term antibiotic therapy and a "Medfriend" from their social support network (N = 14). A mixed-methods study was conducted. All patient participants used the MediSafe application daily for 14 days. Ease of use, ease of learning, and satisfaction scales were rated highest by both patient participants and Medfriends, whereas usefulness was rated lowest by both groups, with Medfriends' usefulness rating significantly lower than that of patient participants. Telephone interviews identified patient participants found the application instrumental in facilitating medication adherence, and Medfriends viewed themselves as active participants in the patient participants' care. The MediSafe medication reminder application is easy to use and accepted by both patients and their designated Medfriend. The MediSafe is instrumental in facilitating short-term antibiotic adherence and social support engagement.

Remote Usability Testing to Facilitate the Continuation of Research.

Usability testing has historically been an in-person activity where test participants and evaluation researchers are co-located. Recruiting participants into usability studies can be a challenging endeavor especially when potential participants are concerned about time commitments and social distancing. The global COVID-19 pandemic has driven the development of remote usability testing methods. In this paper, we describe remote usability testing as it evolved during a pre-pandemic research study. We adapted our in-person usability evaluation methodology for a commercially available mHealth app to a remote usability testing methodology to accommodate potential participants during a more convenient participant-identified time. In doing so we met the needs, preferences, and availability of our participants and maintained research progress. Adapting to patient-centered needs through remote usability testing has the potential to facilitate continued research and engage potential participants due to its convenience, flexibility, and decrease constraints presented by geographic limits.

Rituximab Use and Hypogammaglobulinemia.

BACKGROUND Rituximab is a genetically engineered chimeric (murine-human) monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against CD20 antigen on the surface of B cells. Commonly reported adverse effects are chills and fevers, which are usually associated with the first infusion. Recent studies have shown an association between rituximab use and low immunoglobulin (Ig) level due to a reduction in plasma cell precursors, which leads to an increased risk of infections with the use of rituximab. CASE REPORT We present a case of hypogammaglobulinemia associated with rituximab use in a patient with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA). A 59-year-old woman presented with shortness of breath. After an extensive workup, she was diagnosed with GPA. She received rituximab for the induction of remission. Laboratory workup, which was done five days after she received the second rituximab dose, showed IgG and IgM levels below the level of normal. One month after her second dose of rituximab, she presented to the Medical Intensive Care Unit as a transfer from an outside facility intubated and sedated due to acute respiratory failure secondary to septic shock with E. coli bacteremia. The patient died on admission despite aggressive management, including the ACLS protocol. CONCLUSIONS Rituximab is an effective medication in the management of ANCA-associated vasculitis. Obtaining an immunoglobulin level at baseline and before each rituximab cycle is of great clinical importance and helps guide physicians in prescribing B cell-targeted therapy.