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Di Molfetta S, Patruno P, Cormio S, Cignarelli A, Paleari R, Mosca A, Lamacchia O, De Cosmo S, Massa M, Natalicchio A, Perrini S, Laviola L, Giorgino F. A telemedicine-based approach with real-time transmission of blood glucose data improves metabolic control in insulin-treated diabetes: the DIAMONDS randomized clinical trial. J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 45:1663-1671. [PMID: 35476320 PMCID: PMC9044385 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01802-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate if a web-based telemedicine system (the Glucoonline® system) is effective to improve glucose control in insulin-treated patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as compared to standard of care. METHODS This was a prospective, randomized, controlled trial, carried out at three tertiary referral centers for diabetes in Italy. Adults with insulin-treated type 1 and type 2 diabetes, inadequate glycemic control, and no severe diabetes-related complications and/or comorbidities were eligible for this study. Patients were randomized to either perform telemedicine-assisted (Group A) or standard (Group B) self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) for 6 months. In Group A, patients received prompt feedback about their blood glucose levels and therapy suggestions from the study staff via phone/SMS, when appropriate. In Group B, patients had no remote assistance from the study staff between planned visits. RESULTS 123 patients were included in the final analysis. After 6 months, patients achieved a significant reduction in HbA1c in Group A (-0.38%, p < 0.05) but not in Group B (+ 0.08%, p = 0.53). A significant difference in the percentage of patients with HbA1c < 7% between Group A and Group B was found after 3 months (28.6% vs 11.1%, p = 0.02). Also, fewer patients (p < 0.05) with HbA1c > 8.5% were found in Group A vs Group B, respectively, after both 3 months (14.3% vs 35.2%) and 6 months (21.8% vs 42.9%). CONCLUSIONS The use of the Glucoonline™ system resulted in improved metabolic control. Telemedicine services have potential to support diabetes self-management and provide the patients with remote, prompt assistance using affordable technological equipment. Trial registration This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01804803) on March 5, 2013.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Di Molfetta
- Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - P Patruno
- Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - S Cormio
- Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - A Cignarelli
- Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - R Paleari
- Department of Physiopathology and Transplantation, Center for Metrological Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (CIRME), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - A Mosca
- Department of Physiopathology and Transplantation, Center for Metrological Traceability in Laboratory Medicine (CIRME), University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - O Lamacchia
- Section of Endocrinology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - S De Cosmo
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - M Massa
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, IRCCS "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza", San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - A Natalicchio
- Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - S Perrini
- Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - L Laviola
- Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - F Giorgino
- Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
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