title: Diabetes telemonitoring reduces the risk of hypoglycaemia during Ramadan: a pilot randomized controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study evaluated the short-term benefits of a telemonitoring-supplemented focused diabetic education compared with education alone in participants with Type 2 diabetes who were fasting during Ramadan.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this pilot mixed-method study, we identified 37 participants and randomly allocated them to either a telemonitoring group (n = 18) or a group receiving Ramadan-focused pre-education only (usual care; n = 19). The telemonitoring group received goal-setting and personalized feedback.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The telemonitoring group was less likely to experience hypoglycaemia than the usual care group (odds ratio: 0.1273; 95% confidence interval: 0.0267-0.6059). No significant differences were noted in glycaemic control at the end of study. Participants viewed telemedicine as a more convenient alternative although technological barriers remain a concern.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study reinforce the need for monitoring as well as educational initiatives for Muslims with diabetes who fast during Ramadan. Telemonitoring offers an attractive option requiring further research. (Clinical Trial Registry No. NCT02189135).
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
authors.forename: S W H
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Pandamaran Health Clinic, Klang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Nasir
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, SEGi University, Malaysia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: How
authors.affiliation: School of Allied Health Sciences, SEGi University, Kota Damansara, Malaysia.
authors.forename: C S S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000846:Anniversaries and Special Events; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000208:ethnology; D003927:Diet, Diabetic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000208:ethnology; D005215:Fasting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007514:Islam; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D057240:Patient Preference; D010865:Pilot Projects; D057285:Precision Medicine; D012306:Risk; D017216:Telemedicine; D055815:Young Adult