Telephone modem access improves diabetes control in those with insulin-requiring diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether modem access improves diabetes control in IDDM patients.


METHODS
Forty-two patients participated in the study and were followed for 12 wk. The patients were randomly divided into two groups at baseline, a modem group and a control group. There were no significant differences between HbA1c, random blood glucose, and weight between the groups at the beginning of the study. Patients were asked to perform five blood glucose determinations/day (before breakfast, before lunch, afternoon [1500], before dinner, and at bedtime) twice/week. The modem group transferred their data over the phone once/week. The control group would bring in their results on their regular visits every 6 wk. Patients in the modem group were counseled every week over the telephone after transferring results to adjust insulin and food intake if necessary.


RESULTS
In the modem group, HbA1c improved from 0.106 to 0.092 (13.20%). The control group improved from 0.112 to 0.102 (8.9%). There was no significant change in weight, random blood glucose, or insulin.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of telephone modem-based patient-monitoring systems in diabetes clinical research seems to stimulate the patient to keep closer control of blood glucose levels. It might be especially useful in rural settings, for which this study was designed.
Ahring
K K
KK
Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ahring
J P
JP
Joyce
C
C
Farid
N R
NR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D001835:Body Weight; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009523:Newfoundland and Labrador; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin