Telematic expert system Diabeto. New tool for diet self-monitoring for diabetic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate Diabeto, a computer-assisted diet education system.


METHODS
One hundred five patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were divided into two randomized groups to participate in the evaluation of Diabeto. With free access through Minitel, the French public videotex network, Diabeto helps diabetic patients self-monitor their diets and balance their meals with personalized counseling.


RESULTS
During the first 6-mo study, group A (54 patients) used Diabeto, whereas group B (51 patients) were control subjects. For the second 6-mo study, group B used the system. Evaluation was based on patients' dietetic knowledge, dietary habits, and metabolic balance.


CONCLUSIONS
Diabeto led to a significant improvement of dietetic, knowledge in group A (P less than 0.0005) and also to improved dietary habits; decreased caloric intake in patients initially overeating (P less than 0.05), increase of dietary carbohydrate from 39.7 +/- 0.7 to 42.9 +/- 0.9% in patients with an initial intake less than 45% carbohydrate, and decrease of fat intake from 41.9 +/- 0.9 to 37.4 +/- 1.1% in patients with an initial intake of greater than 35% fat (P less than 0.0005). In the second study, in addition to similar improvements to those observed in the first study, HbA1 decreased from 11.0 +/- 0.4 to 9.9 +/- 0.4% (P less than 0.005) and fructosamine from 5.00 +/- 0.17 to 4.57 +/- 0.17% (P less than 0.001). Diabeto appears to be an effective therapeutic tool in the control of metabolic diseases.
Turnin
M C
MC
Service D'Endocrinologie-Diabétologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Rangueil, Toulouse, France.
Beddok
R H
RH
Clottes
J P
JP
Martini
P F
PF
Abadie
R G
RG
Buisson
J C
JC
Soulé-Dupuy
C
C
Bonneu
M
M
Camaré
R
R
Anton
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D019270:Fructosamine; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006595:Hexosamines / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015415:Biomarkers; D019270:Fructosamine; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006595:Hexosamines