Clinical Experience of Using Telemedicine for the Management of Patients Using Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion in a Highly Complex Latin American Hospital

Guillermo Edinson Guzman, María Fernanda Escobar, Oriana Arias-Valderrama, María Angélica Guerra () and Veline Martínez
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Guillermo Edinson Guzman: Fundación Valle del Lili, Departamento de Endocrinología, Cali 760032, Colombia
María Fernanda Escobar: Departamento Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali 760031, Colombia
Oriana Arias-Valderrama: Departamento Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali 760031, Colombia
María Angélica Guerra: Fundación Valle del Lili, Centro de Investigaciones Clínicas, Cali 760032, Colombia
Veline Martínez: Fundación Valle del Lili, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Cali 760032, Colombia

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 9, 1-10

Abstract: Introduction: Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) has emerged as a potential solution for diabetes management during the pandemic, as it reduces the need for in-person visits and allows for remote monitoring of patients. Telemedicine has also become increasingly important in the management of diabetes during the pandemic, as it allows healthcare providers to provide remote consultations and support. Here, we discuss the implications of this approach for diabetes management beyond the pandemic, including the potential for increased access to care and improved patient outcomes. Methods: We performed a longitudinal observational study between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2020 to evaluate glycemic parameters in diabetic patients with CSII in a telehealth service. Glycemic parameters were time in range (TIR), time above range, time below range, mean daily glucose, glucose management indicator (GMI), and glycemic variability control. Results: A total of 36 patients were included in the study, with 29 having type 1 diabetes and 6 having type 2 diabetes. The study found that the proportion of patients achieving target glucose variability and GMI remained unchanged during follow-up. However, in patients with type 2 diabetes, the time in target range increased from 70% to 80%, and the time in hyperglycemia decreased from 2% to 0%. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that telemedicine is a strategy for maintaining glycemic control in patients using CSII. However, the lack of access to the internet and adequate telemonitoring devices make it difficult to use on a large scale in emerging countries like ours.

Keywords: telemedicine; telemedicine services; insulin infusion bump; continuous glucose monitoring; diabetic adults; glycemic control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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