Efficacy of a Digital Diabetes Logbook for People With Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes: Results From a Multicenter, Open-Label, Parallel-Group, Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

In a randomized controlled trial, the efficacy of a digital diabetes diary regarding a reduction of diabetes distress was evaluated.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial with a 12-week follow-up was conducted in 41 study sites across Germany. Key eligibility criteria were a diagnosis of type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes and regular self-monitoring of blood glucose. Participants were randomly assigned (2:1 ratio) to either use the digital diabetes logbook (mySugr PRO), or to the control group without app use. The primary outcome was the reduction in diabetes distress at the 12-week follow-up. All analyses were based on the intention-to-treat population with all randomized participants. The trial was registered at the German Register for Clinical Studies (DRKS00022923).

RESULTS

Between February 11, 2021, and June 24, 2022, 424 participants (50% female, 50% male) were included, with 282 being randomized to the intervention group (66.5%) and 142 to the control group (33.5%). A total of 397 participants completed the trial (drop-out rate: 6.4%). The median reduction in diabetes distress was 2.41 (interquartile range [IQR]: -2.50 to 8.11) in the intervention group and 1.25 (IQR: -5.00 to 7.50) in the control group. The model-based adjusted between-group difference was significant (-2.20, IQR: -4.02 to -0.38, P = .0182) favoring the intervention group. There were 27 adverse events, 17 (6.0%) in the intervention group, and 10 (7.0%) in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficacy of the digital diabetes logbook was demonstrated regarding improvements in mental health in people with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Evaluation of a Digital Health Tool for Titration of Basal Insulin in People With Type 2 Diabetes: Rationale and Design of a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Optimal insulin titration is essential in helping people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to achieve adequate glycemic control. Barriers of people with diabetes to implementation of titration include lack of self-efficiency and self-management skills, increased diabetes-related distress, low treatment satisfaction, poor well-being, as well as concerns about hypoglycemia and insulin overdose. My Dose Coach is a digital health tool for optimizing titration of basal insulin that combines a smartphone app for patients with T2DM and a Web portal for health care professionals.

METHODS/DESIGN

This is a prospective, open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled parallel study conducted in approximately 50 centers in Germany that are specialized in the treatment of diabetes. Patients in the intervention group will use the titration app and will be registered on the Web portal by their treating physician. Control group patients will continue their current basal insulin titration without using the app. The primary outcome is the mean change in HbA1c levels at the 12-week follow-up. The secondary outcome measures include patient-reported outcomes such as diabetes-related distress, self-management, empowerment, self-efficacy, treatment satisfaction, and psychological well-being as well as fasting blood glucose values.

CONCLUSION

This digital health tool has been previously implemented in several independent pilot studies. The findings from this multicenter randomized controlled trial can provide further evidence supporting the effectiveness of this tool in patients with T2DM and serve as a basis for its clinical integration.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Register for Clinical Studies-DRKS-ID: DRKS00024861.