# Patient needs and preferences for a kidney stone self-monitoring app: a pilot survey analysis

## TL;DR

Patients with kidney stones show strong interest in using a mobile app to track diet and hydration for preventing stone recurrence.

## Contribution

This study identifies key app features and patient preferences for a kidney stone self-monitoring mHealth tool.

## Key findings

- 72.8% of patients indicated they would likely use a kidney stone prevention app.
- Water tracking and dietary advice were the most desired features in the app.
- High concern about recurrence significantly predicted app use (p < 0.01).

## Abstract

Nutritional habits play a role in the formation and recurrence of kidney stone disease (KSD). Dietary modification is important for the prevention of KSD recurrence. Mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) may help patients manage their condition by offering personalised dietary guidance and tracking intake. This study assesses the interest of patients with recurrent kidney stone disease (KSD) in a self-monitoring app and identifies key features to guide its development. This cross-sectional quantitative study used an online survey to collect data from KSD patients. The survey collected information on patient demographics, healthcare smartphone usage, and preferences for app features. The findings will inform the development of an initial app prototype. Fifty-five patients participated (58.2% male; most aged 35–54). Kidney stone recurrence ranged from one episode (34.5%) to six or more (9.1%). Health app use varied: 29.1% used them daily, 36.4% never used them. While 30.9% were aware of relevant risk factors, most (61.8%) had only partial awareness. High concern about recurrence (65.5%) significantly predicted the likelihood of app use (p < 0.01). Interest in a prevention app was strong, with 72.8% indicating they were likely to use it. The likelihood of use was strongly correlated with recommending the app (p < 0.001), although recurrence frequency was not associated with interest. The top desired features included water tracking (81.1%), dietary advice (77.4%), educational content (56.6%), and diet tracking (56.6%). Participants prioritised hydration, diet, and personalised education, with 36.4% favouring tailored recommendations. This pilot survey highlights the strong interest of patients in a mobile health (mHealth) app for dietary self-monitoring in KSD. Larger studies, feasibility testing, and future trials will be needed to evaluate effectiveness, cost, and real-world implementation.