Similarity of Engagement Across Age Groups of Patients Treated With a Prescription Digital Therapeutic for Opioid Use Disorder

Abstract: Aim: Prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) are software-based treatments evaluated for safety and effectiveness by the FDA. This study evaluated associations between age and levels of PDT engagement and treatment retention among patients with opioid use disorder (OUD). Methods: De-identified data from patients completing at least 1 lesson in a 12-week PDT prescription between 1/1/19-11/30/21 were obtained from the PDT. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate levels of engagement across the prescription as a function of age. Linear and logistic regression was used to evaluate relationships between outcomes and age. Evaluated were: days with any activity in the PDT, lessons completed, and retention in the PDT defined as any activity in weeks 9-12 of treatment. Results: Meeting evaluation criteria were 5,956 patients, 15% (905) were 18-29 years, 47% (2768) were 30-39, 25% (1503) were 40-49, and 13% (780) were ≥ 50 years. 50% of the sample was female, 34% male, and 16% had unidentified sex. Median active days in the age categories (out of 84 possible days) were: 19, 21, 23, and 20 respectively; median lessons completed (out of 62 possible) were 22, 27, 29, and 26.5 respectively. Percent retained was 68%, 74%, 75%, and 72%. No associations were observed between these outcomes and age (R2