Innovative Arthritis Tracker app launches to support thousands of young people in self-isolation

A new Arthritis Tracker app has launched to support teens and young adults with arthritis who are self-isolating due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Launched by charity Versus Arthritis, the app is aimed at people between the age of 13 to 25 and enables individuals to rate and record their arthritis symptoms in seconds, as well as track their pain, medication side effects, fatigue, physical activity, sleep and emotional well-being.
Additionally, the app provides 24/7 access to trusted information and advice for your people.
According to the national charity, it is estimated almost three million people under the age of 35 in the UK are living with a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition like arthritis.
Supporting young people living with arthritis whilst also handling the everyday challenges of growing up, the app comes as many of those with arthritis take immunosuppressant drugs and are amongst the 1.5 million currently having to shield during COVID-19.
The experience of shielding, self-isolating and social distancing can have negative impacts on the health and condition of people with arthritis, with anxiety and reduced physical activity causing a flare in symptoms.
“Stress makes everything worse for me, and the current lockdown has been hard. I had to stop going to school before my friends and worried that I was missing out. I’m also finding it harder to sleep at the moment. The app’s advice on stress and sleep has really helped me through this.”Jasmine Leslie
With restrictions in place for face-to-face appointments during the pandemic and with young people finding it difficult to explain their symptoms, Versus Arthritis highlights that it is crucial that accurate information of the health of young people with arthritis can be reported to healthcare professionals charged with their care.
16-year-old Jasmine Leslie has had juvenile idiopathic arthritis since she was seven and is still trying to find a treatment that works for her. She is isolating at home with her family in Cornwall. Speaking on the launch of Arthritis Tracker, she said: “I’ve been testing the app during its trial phase and have found it really helpful. I had been trying to find something like it for a while, to understand how different things might impact my condition.
“Stress makes everything worse for me, and the current lockdown has been hard. I had to stop going to school before my friends and worried that I was missing out. I’m also finding it harder to sleep at the moment. The app’s advice on stress and sleep has really helped me through this. The tracking also helps remind me that even if I’m feeling rubbish one day, I am having good days too. This keeps me more positive.
“I’m taking part in a clinical trial in Bristol and my next appointment is coming up, but it’s going to be a phone call instead now. I think the app will definitely help with sharing information in these appointments.”...