User evaluation of the Hypo‐METRICS app: A tool for real‐time symptom reporting of hypoglycaemia
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: AIMS: Hypoglycaemia remains a barrier to optimal diabetes management, with few tools for capturing real-time person-reported hypoglycaemia (PRH). This study evaluated the Hypo-METRICS app, originally developed for a multinational 10-week prospective study of hypoglycaemia. It enables real-time reporting of hypoglycaemic episodes and their impact on daily functioning using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), thereby overcoming limitations of retrospective self reports. METHODS: After completing the Hypo-METRICS study, 120 participants with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) from Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were invited to complete a web-based questionnaire assessing app content, functionality, intervention effects, user engagement and the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Ninety-six participants (80%; 29 T1D, 67 T2D) completed the questionnaire (40% women; mean age 57.2 ± 16.1 years; 26% impaired hypoglycaemia awareness; HbA1c 60 ± 13 mmol/mol (7.6 ± 1.1%); diabetes duration 20.4 ± 11.3 years). App content and functionality were rated highly (>8/10 and >7/10, respectively). Some reported declining engagement, likely due to study length. COVID-19 had a minimal impact on app use. CONCLUSIONS: The Hypo-METRICS app was well accepted, with strong ratings for usability and functionality. Given its unique strengths, the app has the potential to become an essential instrument for researchers aiming to capture the real-world burden and impact of hypoglycaemia.
Source: Diabetic Medicine
DOI: 10.1111/dme.70185
Authors: Monika Cigler, Uffe Søholm, Melanie Broadley, François Pouwer, Evertine J. Abbink, Namam Ali, Bastiaan E. de Galan, Eric Renard, Mark Evans, Julie Maria Bøggild Brøsen, Ulrik Pedersen‐Bjergaard, Rory J. Mc Crimmon, Simon Heller, Sharon Caunt, Stephanie A. Amiel, Patrick Divilly, Natalie Zaremba, Pratik Choudhary, Julia K. Mader
Institutions: Medical University of Graz, Deakin University, University of Southern Denmark, Diabetes Victoria, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, Radboud University Medical Center, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht University, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, University of Cambridge, Wellcome/MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, King's College London, University College Dublin, St. Vincent's University Hospital, University of Leicester
Language: English
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,870
OpenAlex ID: W7117731044