Telemedicine influence on the follow-up of type 2 diabetes patients.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to evaluate the impact of a teleassistance system on the metabolic control of type 2 diabetes patients.


METHODS
We conducted a 1-year controlled parallel-group trial comparing patients randomized (1) to an intervention group, assigned to a teleassistance system using real-time transmission of blood glucose results, with immediate reply when necessary, and telephone consultations, or (2) to a control group, being regularly followed-up at their healthcare center. Study subjects were type 2 diabetes patients >30 years of age followed in the primary care setting.


RESULTS
A total of 328 type 2 diabetes patients were recruited from 35 family practices in the province of Málaga, Spain. There was a reduction in hemoglobin A1c after 12 months from 7.62 +/- 1.60% to 7.40 +/- 1.43% (P = 0.027) in the intervention group and from 7.44 +/- 1.31% to 7.35 +/- 1.38% (P = 0.303) in the control group. The difference in the change between groups was not statistically significant. There was also a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and body mass index in the intervention group. In the control group, the only significant decline was in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.


CONCLUSIONS
A teleassistance system using real-time transmission of blood glucose results with an option to make telephone consultations is feasible in the primary care setting as a support tool for family physicians in their follow-up of type 2 diabetes patients.
Rodríguez-Idígoras
María I
MI
Research and Quality Unit, Province of Málaga Health Department, Andalusian Health Service, Junta de Andalucía, Spain. misabel.rodríguez@juntadeandalucia.es
Sepúlveda-Muñoz
Jesús
J
Sánchez-Garrido-Escudero
Ramón
R
Martínez-González
José L
JL
Escolar-Castelló
José L
JL
Paniagua-Gómez
Isabel M
IM
Bernal-López
Rosa
R
Fuentes-Simón
María V
MV
Garófano-Serrano
Daniel
D
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012944:Social Support; D013030:Spain; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000639:trends*; D013689:Telephone
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin