Our Arthritis Tracker app helps thousands of young people

We’re pleased to announce the official launch of our mobile app, theArthritis Trackerto support teens and young adults with arthritis self-isolating in the wake of COVID-19.

关节炎跟踪器如何帮助？

The Arthritis Tracker provides 24/7 access to trusted information and advice for young people between 13 and 25. It will help young people to rate and record their arthritis symptoms in seconds and track their pain, medication side effects, energy levels, activity, sleep and emotional wellbeing.

Up to 15,000 children under the age of 16 in the UK live with the pain, fatigue and isolation of arthritis, whilst also dealing with the everyday challenges of growing up. Many take immunosuppressant drugs and are amongst the 1.5 million currently having to shield during COVID-19.

The experience of self-shielding and social distancing can have negative impacts on their health and condition, with anxiety and reduced physical activity causing a flare in symptoms.

With restrictions in place for face-to-face appointments during the pandemic and with young people finding it difficult to explain their symptoms, it’s crucial that accurate information of the health of young people with arthritis can be reported to health care professionals charged with their care.

Young people are at the heart of the app

Young people were fundamental to the app’s creation and development, with the idea coming from 20-year old Hope Graham from Northern Ireland. It not only tracks their arthritis symptoms and wellbeing but also connects them with others the same age who understood what it was like to be a teenager or young adult living with arthritis.

Hope Graham, who has少年特发性关节炎（JIA）说：

“Having an app that can help track symptoms is such a huge help. I have been in a lot of pain previously, but whenever I go to the doctor, I’ll tend to just say ‘I’m OK, I’m not feeling that bad’, but actually I won’t have been able to walk up the stairs a couple of weeks ago.

“I will be using the app all the time. Being part of its development and testing has already helped me to ensure I get the treatment I need when I visit my doctor.

能够与其他年轻人联系，完全改变了我对状况的感觉。我曾经感到非常孤独。我希望这个应用程序可以帮助其他年轻人成为一个互相支持的社区的一部分。”

Over 100 young people and health professionals have contributed to how the app was designed and built, and it will continue to be updated with users’ feedback.

Dr Janet McDonagh, a paediatric and adolescent rheumatologist atRoyal Manchester Children's Hospital, said “The Arthritis Tracker that young people and Versus Arthritis have created is great – I am actively encouraging young people in my clinic to use it.

“It has huge potential to enhance communication between young people and health professionals, allowing us to better understand the impact arthritis is having on the young person's life and then to treat them more effectively.

“自COVID-19爆发以来，该应用具有更大的潜力。在电话上评估年轻人可能很难，因此将其应用程序摘要作为提示或事先通过电子邮件分享，这确实将有助于这些电话咨询。”

免费下载应用程序

Arthritis Tracker is available to download foriPhoneonTheapple应用商店和 forAndroid on Google Play。 

Our services

If you or a family member under the age of 25 has arthritis, our Young People and Families service is here to support.

Our service offers advice on how to live well with arthritis, medication and potential treatments, as well as creating a safe space to ask questions, receive information and develop support networks.

Ourface-to-face services have changed during COVID-19，但是您可以通过当地的年轻人和家庭服务找到更多有关发生的事情的信息。

• England (12-18 years) -ypf@versusarthritis.org
• Northern Ireland (up to 18 years) -nireland@versusarthritis.org
• 苏格兰（10 - 25年） -scotland@versusarthritis.org
• 威尔士（10 - 18年） -cymru@versusarthritis.org

We’re here for you

If you’re feeling isolated from family and friends during these uncertain times, we’re here for you.

• If you would like to talk to someone, you can call our freehelplineon 0800 5200 520 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
• Chat to一家名为, our COVID-19 Virtual Assistant, using the purple icon in the bottom right corner of this page.
• Join our在线社区
• 年代tay in touch and follow us onTwitter,Facebook和Instagram。