Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41088348›Full record

ArticleBMC rheumatology2025

Text-based messaging to support rheumatoid arthritis care: an analysis of frequency and content of text-messages.

Melissa Sipley, Saania N Zafar, Manuel Ester, Glen Hazlewood, Kiran Dhiman, Alexandra Charlton, Karen L Then, Erika Dempsey, Richard Lester, Alison M Hoens and 5 more

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC rheumatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Melissa SipleyDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Saania N ZafarDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Manuel EsterDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Glen HazlewoodDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Kiran DhimanDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Alexandra CharltonClinical Practice Division, Pharmacy Services, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Karen L ThenFaculty of Nursing, University of Calgary & School of Nursing, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Erika DempseyDepartment of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Richard LesterDepartment of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Alison M HoensArthritis Research Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Diane LacailleArthritis Research Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Sarah SlossDepartment of Medicine, Queens University, Kingston, Canada.
Cheryl BarnabeDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Dianne MosherDepartment of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
Claire E H BarberDepartment of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. cehbarbe@ucalgary.ca.

Funding

Canadian Institues of Health research STAR-19-0611
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveText-based messaging support can improve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) care delivery by connecting patients with healthcare providers (HCPs) in an efficient and convenient manner. However, the nature and appropriateness of patient messaging in this new care model are unknown. The aim of this study was to (1) analyze the frequency and nature of text messages patients sent to their HCPs, and (2) to identify patient characteristics associated with higher texting frequency in a pilot of a text-based messaging (using the WelTel platform) added to usual rheumatology care.

methodsSeventy patients with RA participated in a 6-month pilot. Automated "How are you?" texts were sent monthly, and patients were encouraged to respond according to their current situation. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to thematically categorize and quantify common words and phrases. Regression analysis was conducted to determine if a relationship existed between the number of text messages and age, sex, care complexity (using a validated instrument), number of medications, and burden of comorbidities.

resultsA total of 1404 text messages were sent by patients, with 257 messages requiring a response. Three main themes for texting topics emerged: RA symptom reporting, medication management, and COVID-19 questions. Patients with higher care complexity had a higher frequency of texting (p = 0.025); however, no association was observed with other patient characteristics.

conclusionPatients with higher complexity texted HCPs more frequently. Messages were highly aligned with patient care needs. Future directions should include assessing the impact of text messaging-enhanced care on patient outcomes and overall healthcare utilization. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Digital HealthQuality of CareRheumatoid arthritis

Identifiers

PMID41088348
PMCPMC12523196

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.