JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has a relapsing and remitting nature and scheduled clinic visits only provide a snapshot of the skin condition at the moment.

Objective:

To investigate the quality of patient taken smartphone photographs of AD skin lesions and characterize patients using smartphone photographs as a tool to assist the physician to show disease activity in between consultations.

Methods:

Patients from two university outpatient clinics specialized in AD were surveyed. A questionnaire regarding digital readiness was completed and a previously taken skin lesion photograph on the patients’ own smartphone was evaluated.

Results:

Between February and September 2024 one hundred questionnaires were completed, around 60% from the capital region and 40% from the urban area, including 62 men and 38 women. The mean age of the recruited patients was 33.9 years (SD 19.9). About 78% of the patients used computer, laptop or tablets often or always, 86% corresponded with the healthcare system using technology e.g. via e-mail to the general practitioner or contact with hospitals via apps. More than 50% (n=52) strongly agreed or agreed to the statement that they would prefer a remote online visit with e.g. upload of skin lesion photographs over a routine physical in office visit. Almost 3 out of 4 patients had a photograph of their AD skin lesion on their smartphone, the majority (54%) with the sole intention of presenting it to a physician. The photographs were of good quality in 85% of the cases, and the majority (86%) of the smartphone photographs were assessed to be useful for diagnostic and clinical evaluation. Age above 30 years decreased the chance of having captured a skin lesion smartphone photograph by 26%, and use of systemic treatment decreased the chance by 21.5%.

Conclusions:

Patients with AD followed in an outpatient clinic often capture a good quality photograph of their skin lesion prior to consultation with the intention of presenting it to the physician.