title: Web-based telemedicine system is useful for monitoring glucose control in pregnant women with diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a Web-based telemedicine system for monitoring glucose control in pregnant women with diabetes on healthcare visits, metabolic control, and pregnancy outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, single-center, interventional study with two parallel groups was performed in Puerto Real University Hospital (Cadiz, Spain). Women were assigned to two different glucose monitoring groups: the control group (CG), which was managed only by follow-ups with the Gestational Diabetes Unit (GDU), and the telemedicine group (TMG), which was monitored by both more spaced GDU visits and a Web-based telemedicine system. The number of healthcare visits, degree of metabolic control, and maternal and neonatal outcomes were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred four pregnant women with diabetes (77 with gestational diabetes, 16 with type 1 diabetes, and 11 with type 2 diabetes) were included in the TMG (n=40) or in the CG (n=64). There were no significant differences in mean glycated hemoglobin level during pregnancy or after delivery, despite a significantly lower number of visits to the GDU (3.2±2.3 vs. 5.9±2.3 visits; P<0.001), nurse educator (1.7±1.3 vs. 3.0±1.7 visits; P<0.001), and general practitioner (3.7±2.0 vs. 4.9±2.8 visits; P<0.034) in the TMG. There were no significant differences between groups in maternal or neonatal outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A Web-based telemedicine system can be a useful tool facilitating the management of pregnant diabetes patients, as a complement to conventional outpatient clinic visits.
authors: 1 Endocrinology, Puerto Real University Hospital , Cadiz, Spain .
authors: Florentino
authors: F
authors: Carral
authors: María del Carmen
authors: Mdel C
authors: Ayala
authors: Juan Jesús
authors: JJ
authors: Fernández
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: González
authors: Antonia
authors: A
authors: Piñero
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: García
authors: Concepción
authors: C
authors: Cañavate
authors: Ana Isabel
authors: AI
authors: Jiménez
authors: Concepción
authors: C
authors: García
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human