Telemedicine Influence on the Follow-Up of Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Abstract Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the impact of a teleassistance system on the metabolic control of type 2 diabetes patients. Research Design and 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 Malaga, 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 ...