ArticleJMIR mHealth and uHealth2019
German Mobile Apps in Rheumatology: Review and Analysis Using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS).
Article in JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 97 papers, 9 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
97 citing papers in PubMed, 9 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Assessing the Quality and Behavior Change Potential of Vaping Cessation Apps: Systematic Search and Assessment.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2024Pooled it
- Smartphone Apps for Domestic Violence Prevention: A Systematic Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Mobile health technologies for the management of rheumatic diseases: a systematic review of online stores in Brazil.Clinical rheumatology · 2021Pooled it
- Mobile Apps for Drug-Drug Interaction Checks in Chinese App Stores: Systematic Review and Content Analysis.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2021Pooled it
- Quality and Adoption of COVID-19 Tracing Apps and Recommendations for Development: Systematic Interdisciplinary Review of European Apps.Journal of medical Internet research · 2021Pooled it
- Comprehensively addressing postpartum maternal health: a content and image review of commercially available mobile health apps.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2021Pooled it
- Smartphone Apps Targeting Physical Activity in People With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Systematic Quality Appraisal and Content Analysis.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2020Pooled it
- Mobile applications addressing violence against women: a systematic review.BMJ global health · 2020Pooled it
- Design, implementation, and evaluation of an educational-interactive telenursing web application for mothers of high-risk neonates.European journal of pediatrics · 2026Trial
- Digital Behavioral Therapy Improves Outcome in Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis and Persistent Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Arthritis care & research · 2026Trial
- The effects of a mobile app-delivered intervention in people with symptomatic hand osteoarthritis: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine · 2023Trial
- Mobile App Rating Scale for Health Care Professionals to Assess the Quality of mHealth Apps: Questionnaire Development and Psychometric Analysis.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2026Article
- Patient-Centered Lupus Erythematosus Mobile Apps: Systematic Search and Cross-Sectional Evaluation by Patients and Physicians.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2026Article
- Opportunities and challenges of digital health in rheumatology according to patients and professionals: a cross-sectional study.EULAR rheumatology open · 2026Article
- Validity and reliability assessment of the Persian version of the User Mobile Application Rating Scale.Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences · 2026Article
- Predictors of adherence to a digital health application in patients with inflammatory arthritis: retrospective analysis.Rheumatology international · 2025Article
- Evaluation of medical education mobile apps with MARS and MARuL in a TPACK informed model.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- The Influence of Medical Culture and Key Factors on Mobile App Usage Frequency and Perceived Effectiveness in Physical Therapy: Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Article
- Trustworthiness of Web-Based Pharmacy Apps in Pakistan Based on the Mobile App Rating Scale: Content Analysis and Quality Evaluation.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2025Article
37 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
14 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundChronic rheumatic diseases need long-term treatment and professional supervision. Mobile apps promise to improve the lives of patients and physicians. In routine practice, however, rheumatology apps are largely unknown and little is known about their quality and safety.
objectiveThe aim of this study was to provide an overview of mobile rheumatology apps currently available in German app stores, evaluate app quality using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS), and compile brief, ready-to-use descriptions for patients and rheumatologists.
methodsThe German App Store and Google Play store were systematically searched to identify German rheumatology mobile apps for patient and physician use. MARS was used to independently assess app quality by 8 physicians, 4 using Android and 4 using iOS smartphones. Apps were randomly assigned so that 4 apps were rated by all raters and the remaining apps were rated by two Android and two iOS users. Furthermore, brief app descriptions including app developers, app categories, and features were compiled to inform potential users and developers.
resultsIn total, 128 and 63 apps were identified in the German Google Play and App Store, respectively. After removing duplicates and only including apps that were available in both stores, 28 apps remained. Sixteen apps met the inclusion criteria, which were (1) German language, (2) availability in both app stores, (3) targeting patients or physicians as users, and (4) clearly including rheumatology or rheumatic diseases as subject matter. Exclusion criteria were (1) congress apps and (2) company apps with advertisements. Nine apps addressed patients and 7 apps addressed physicians. No clinical studies to support the effectiveness and safety of apps could be found. Pharmaceutical companies were the main developers of two apps. Rheuma Auszeit was the only app mainly developed by a patient organization. This app had the highest overall MARS score (4.19/5). Three out of 9 patient apps featured validated questionnaires. The median overall MARS score was 3.85/5, ranging from 2.81/5 to 4.19/5. One patient-targeted and one physician-targeted app had MARS scores >4/5. No significant rater gender or platform (iOS/Android) differences could be observed. The overall correlation between app store ratings and MARS scores was low and inconsistent between platforms.
conclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study that systematically identified and evaluated mobile apps in rheumatology for patients and physicians available in German app stores. We found a lack of supporting clinical studies, use of validated questionnaires, and involvement of academic developers. Overall app quality was heterogeneous. To create high-quality apps, closer cooperation led by patients and physicians is vital.
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