Impact of initial active engagement in self-monitoring with a telemonitoring device on glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of patient engagement in self-monitoring with a telemonitoring device on glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes. We conducted a subanalysis of the telemonitoring device study in Kaiser Permanente Northern California members. We divided the telemonitoring group into 53 frequent and 54 infrequent users based on self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) frequency of the first 6 weeks. The frequency of SMBG transmitted from the telemonitoring device was examined over 24 weeks. Clinic and laboratory tests were collected at baseline, 6 weeks and 6 months. There was no significant difference in baseline HbA1c level between the two groups. After 6 months, change in HbA1c was −2.4 ± 1.6% among frequent users and −1.5 ± 1.5% among infrequent users (p = 0.003). The proportion of patients achieving target HbA1C level at 6 months was significantly higher among frequent users than among infrequent users. An increased frequency of SMBG was significantly correlated with a reduction in HbA1c at 6 months. In conclusion, initial active engagement in self-monitoring with a telemonitoring device could provide incremental improvement of glycemic control over 6 months.

Evaluating the impact of self‐monitoring of blood glucose frequencies on glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…All the trials had a high risk of performance bias, as it was infeasible to blind the participants to the intervention. Three studies did not adequately show attrition bias and reporting bias. Two studies with industry funding were selected as high risk of “other bias.”…”

“…Several systematic reviews and meta‐analyses have explored the effects of SMBG on glycaemic control in non‐insulin‐treated T2D patients, showing a reduction of glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from 0.21% to 0.34% and a slight improvement in body mass index (BMI) . Despite the improvement in glycaemic control and BMI, finger pricking‐associated pain remains a burden of diabetes management .…”

“…(BMI). [10][11][12][13][14][15] Despite the improvement in glycaemic control and BMI, finger pricking-associated pain remains a burden of diabetes management. 16,17 However, the most appropriate way to prescribe SMBG in non-insulin-treated T2D patients remains controversial.…”

Preferences for Health Information Technologies Among US Adults: Analysis of the Health Information National Trends Survey (Preprint)

“…Literature that does converge on specific diseases like diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) only concentrate on one type of e-health technology at a time. [31,32] Evidence is limited that concentrates on the broad use of technology in addressing CVD specifically. [33] There is also lack of studies on differences in preference for using information exchange technologies between chronic and non-chronic disease patients and factors affecting these differences.…”

“…In fact, it has been shown that information exchange via various portals and mobile intervention has led to increased adherence to healthy lifestyle programs, treatment regimens and disease prevention programs. [12][13][14]16,32] However, the literature on this topic is very general and seldom concentrates on different chronic diseases and conditions. Literature that does converge on specific diseases like diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) only concentrate on one type of e-health technology at a time.…”