Digital Diabetes Care System Observations from a Pilot Evaluation Study in Vietnam

Tran Quang Khanh, Pham Nhu Hao, Eytan Roitman, Itamar Raz, Baruch Marganitt and Avivit Cahn
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Tran Quang Khanh: Head of Endocrinology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City 72000, Vietnam
Pham Nhu Hao: Department of Endocrinology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City 72000, Vietnam
Eytan Roitman: Head Diabetes Technologies Clinic, Diabetes consultant to the Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv 6209804, Israel
Itamar Raz: Diabetes Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
Baruch Marganitt: GlucoMe Ltd., Yarkona 4591500, Israel
Avivit Cahn: Diabetes Unit, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem 91120, Israel

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-11

Abstract: Digital technologies are gaining an important role in the management of patients with diabetes. We assessed clinical outcomes and user satisfaction of incorporating a digital diabetes care system in diabetes clinics of a developing country. The system integrated a wireless blood glucose monitor that communicates data to any smartphone utilizing a patented acoustic data transfer method, a mobile-app, and cloud-based software that stores, analyzes, and presents data. Five hospital endocrinology clinics in Vietnam sequentially recruited all patients willing to join the study, providing they had a smartphone and access to internet connectivity. Face-to-face visits were conducted at baseline and at 12 weeks, with monthly digital visits scheduled in the interim and additional digital visits performed as needed. HbA1c levels were measured at baseline and at 12 weeks (±20 days). The study included 300 patients of whom 279 completed the evaluation. Average glucose levels declined from 170.4 ± 64.6 mg/dL in the first 2 weeks to 150.8 ± 53.2 mg/dL in the last 2 weeks ( n = 221; p < 0.001). HbA1c levels at baseline and 12 weeks declined from 8.3% ± 1.9% to 7.6% ± 1.3% ( n = 126; p < 0.001). The digital solution was broadly accepted by both patients and healthcare professionals and improved glycemic outcomes. The durability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of this approach merits further study.

Keywords: connected diabetes care; diabetes mellitus; glucose monitoring; digital health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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