Zhiwei Lu1, Ying Li1, Yi He1, Yangkui Zhai2, Jian Wu1, Jianbo Wang1, Zhenyu Zhao1. 1. Department of Pharmacy, and NHC Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Tianjin Medical University Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital, Tianjin, China. 2. Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, NHC Key Laboratory of Hormones and Development, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases, Tianjin Medical University Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Abstract
Background: Internet-based medication management services might help improve blood glucose control in patients with diabetes. Introduction: This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to explore the effect of telemedicine patient management on blood glucose control in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods: This study included patients with T2DM from the Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine of Tianjin Medical University Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital who consulted between January 2019 and December 2019; 120 patients were randomized to the control group (standard care) and the telemedicine group (in-hospital medication evaluation, drug reorganization, medical monitoring, and advice via telemedicine). The primary endpoint was targeted glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <7.0% from baseline to 6 months. The secondary endpoints were the changes in fasting blood glucose (FBG), changes in daily medication cost, changes in the number of drug types taken daily, and hypoglycemic events. Results: Rates of HbA1c <7% improved in the telemedicine groups (p = 0.019), whereas no changes were seen in the control group (p > 0.999). FBG levels decreased (telemedicine: p = 0.001; control: p = 0.007), but the differences were not statistically significant between groups. Daily medication costs decreased in the telemedicine group (p = 0.001), but the costs were similar between groups. The number of medication types decreased in the telemedicine group (p = 0.001). Hypoglycemic events decreased in the telemedicine group (p = 0.032), but not in the control group (p = 0.854). Discussion: Telemedicine could improve the rate of HbA1c <7%. Conclusions: An internet-based medication management model was an effective telemedicine method for patients with T2DM.
RCT Entities:
Background: Internet-based medication management services might help improve blood glucose control in patients with diabetes. Introduction: This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to explore the effect of telemedicine patient management on blood glucose control in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods: This study included patients with T2DM from the Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine of Tianjin Medical University Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital who consulted between January 2019 and December 2019; 120 patients were randomized to the control group (standard care) and the telemedicine group (in-hospital medication evaluation, drug reorganization, medical monitoring, and advice via telemedicine). The primary endpoint was targeted glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <7.0% from baseline to 6 months. The secondary endpoints were the changes in fasting blood glucose (FBG), changes in daily medication cost, changes in the number of drug types taken daily, and hypoglycemic events. Results: Rates of HbA1c <7% improved in the telemedicine groups (p = 0.019), whereas no changes were seen in the control group (p > 0.999). FBG levels decreased (telemedicine: p = 0.001; control: p = 0.007), but the differences were not statistically significant between groups. Daily medication costs decreased in the telemedicine group (p = 0.001), but the costs were similar between groups. The number of medication types decreased in the telemedicine group (p = 0.001). Hypoglycemic events decreased in the telemedicine group (p = 0.032), but not in the control group (p = 0.854). Discussion: Telemedicine could improve the rate of HbA1c <7%. Conclusions: An internet-based medication management model was an effective telemedicine method for patients with T2DM.