title: DIABSAT Telemedicine Itinerant Screening of Chronic Complications of Diabetes Using a Satellite.
abstract: Health authorities recommend regular screening for the chronic complications of diabetes. The ENTRED*survey results show that insufficient screening is undertaken. The DIABSAT†program aims to improve care for diabetes patients in rural areas of the Midi-Pyrénées region, telemonitoring complications of diabetes through an itinerant screening service.
  
  
  
  A vehicle was equipped with a satellite dish and medical equipment for screening ophthalmological, renal, vascular, and neuropathic damage and assessing the level of risk of diabetic foot ulceration. Onboard, a nurse performs some or all of the tests on patients who have had no diabetes review for over a year. The data are entered into a computer and transmitted by satellite for interpretation by designated specialists. The results are sent to patients, general practitioners (GPs), and diabetologists.
  
  
  
  Two hundred twenty-eight screening days were held in six departments of the Midi-Pyrénées between 2010 and 2013. 1,545 patients were screened: mean age 70.7 years, 55.8% men. 93.4% diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, mean duration 11.7 years. Recruitment was chiefly by health professionals (55%). 17-32% of tests detected pathologies: 18.7% diabetic retinopathy, 31.9% microalbuminuria, 17.2% lower limb arteriopathy, 28.3% peripheral neuropathy, and 28.2% high risk of foot ulceration (grade 2: 20.6% and grade 3: 7.6%).
  
  
  
  The large number of patients screened and the high rate of pathological results found, confirm telemonitoring viability and relevance. DIABSAT, a primary resource for healthcare professionals, improves healthcare access through its innovative organization and use of satellite technology.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Diabetology, University Hospital of Toulouse , Toulouse, France .
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Turnin
authors.affiliation: 2 University Paul Sabatier , Toulouse, France .
authors.forename: Solène
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schirr-Bonnans
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Diabetology, University Hospital of Toulouse , Toulouse, France .|3 Midi-Pyrenees Diabetology Healthcare Network (DIAMIP) , Toulouse, France .
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chauchard
authors.affiliation: 3 Midi-Pyrenees Diabetology Healthcare Network (DIAMIP) , Toulouse, France .
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deglise
authors.affiliation: 3 Midi-Pyrenees Diabetology Healthcare Network (DIAMIP) , Toulouse, France .
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Journot
authors.affiliation: 4 Institute for Space Medicine and Physiology , Toulouse, France .
authors.forename: Yann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lapeyre
authors.affiliation: 5 French National Space Research Center , Paris, France .
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Güell
authors.affiliation: 2 University Paul Sabatier , Toulouse, France .|6 Methodological Support, University Hospital of Toulouse , France .
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lepage
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Diabetology, University Hospital of Toulouse , Toulouse, France .|2 University Paul Sabatier , Toulouse, France .
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hanaire
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Diabetology, University Hospital of Toulouse , Toulouse, France .|3 Midi-Pyrenees Diabetology Healthcare Network (DIAMIP) , Toulouse, France .
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D017215:Satellite Communications; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods*
keywords: DIABSAT; chronic complications of diabetes; itinerant screening; satellite; telemedicine; telemonitoring