Web-based comprehensive information system for self-management of diabetes mellitus.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a web-based comprehensive information system, consisting of Internet and cellular phone use, on blood glucose control.


METHODS
We established eMOD (electronic Management of Diabetes), a web-based ubiquitous information system, for cell phone users along with a website for Internet users to provide diabetes education. We examined whether this information system has the same impact on glycemic control as conventional education for the diabetes patient. Forty volunteers were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the eMOD experimental group (n = 20) or the control group (n = 20). Blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months.


RESULTS
The two groups were homogeneous in terms of age, sex, and diabetes' duration at baseline. A1C (from 9.0 +/- 2.3% to 7.5 +/- 1.4%, P = 0.031) and postprandial glucose level (228.1 +/- 79.7 to 173.5 +/- 50.2 mg/dL, P = 0.030) were significantly decreased over time in the intervention group but not in the control group. There was a significant relationship between the change in A1C and the frequency of access to the eMOD system via cellular phone (r = 0.766, P = 0.03; coefficient -0.147).


CONCLUSIONS
A1C was improved by a web-based intervention not only via computer but also via cellular phone at 6 months post-initiation in patients with type 2 diabetes. These results indicate that the use of a convenient web-based education system could be more effective for glycemic control than traditional education for diabetes patients.
Noh
Jung-Hyun
JH
Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University , Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea.
Cho
Young-Jung
YJ
Nam
Hong-Woo
HW
Kim
Jung-Han
JH
Kim
Dong-Jun
DJ
Yoo
Hye-Sook
HS
Kwon
Young-Woo
YW
Woo
Mi-Hye
MH
Cho
Jae-Won
JW
Hong
Myeong-Hee
MH
Yoo
Joo-Hwa
JH
Gu
Min-Jeong
MJ
Kim
Soon-Ai
SA
An
Kyung-Eh
KE
Jang
Soo-Mi
SM
Kim
Eun-Kyung
EK
Yoo
Hyung-Joon
HJ
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D040421:Cell Phone; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D019992:Databases as Topic; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012044:Regression Analysis
D001786:Blood Glucose