Remote monitoring of blood glucose self-control: Potential in the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Introduction . Despite the availability of modern drugs and self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) tools, as well as therapeutic training for patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), the percentage of non-achievement of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) targets remains high, that necessitates new approaches to treatment developing. Aim . Evaluate the possibilities of SMBG remote monitoring in the treatment of type 2 DM in order to improve the effectiveness of outpatient care. Materials and methods . Patients with type 2 DM and HbA1c from 8.0 to 12.0% were divided into groups on tablet therapy (DM2T) and intensified insulin therapy (DM2I). Also, by the type of SMBG the main group (DM2T 86 people, DM2I 72 people) and control groups (DM2T 20 people, DM2I 20 people) were formed. In the main group patients performed SMBG using glucometers with the possibility of remote monitoring by an endocrinologist, control group continued traditional SMBG. The follow-up period was 6 months, we assessed the dynamics of HbA1c, the frequency of SMBG, quality of life using the SF-36 questionnaire, and the attitude of patients to remote monitoring of SMBG. Statistical analysis was performed using StatTech v. 4.6.3 (developer Stattech LLC, Russia), SPSS Version 26.0 (IBM, USA). Results . HbA1c decreased in the main group by 0.9% after 6 months among the DM2T patients (p < 0.001) and by 1,5% in the DM2I group (p < 0.001). In the control group DM2T, the decrease in HbA1c was insignificant (p = 0.607), and in the group DM2I a negative trend was observed (p = 0.007). The quality of life also improved due to indicators of mental health in the main group (p < 0.05). The majority of patients in the main group DM2I and DM2T noted the positive effect of remote monitoring of SMBG (97.2% and 100%, respectively). Conclusion . Remote monitoring of SMBG may become a successful tool in improving the effectiveness of outpatient care for patients with type 2 DM.