Journal of Harmonized Research in Pharmacy

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON EFFECTIVENESS OF TELEMEDICINE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

Author(s): Litty Rosa Alex*, G. Sathyaprabha

Diabetes mellitus is a growing public health problem worldwide and is considered as one of the main threats to human health in the 21st century. Telemedicine approaches can have a positive influence o n patient blood glucose. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SMS and telephone calls on glycaemic control and its influence on medication adherence in type 2 diabetic patients. The prospective study consisted of 81 type 2 diabetes patients, assigned to three groups: Telephone group (n = 30), SMS group (n = 27) and control group (n = 24). SMS group received 4 messages weekly for 3 months and Telephone group received calls twice weekly. Their effects in reducing the HbA1c and FBS after twelve weeks of intervention were found to be higher in Telephone and SMS group than control group. Similarly, patients in the intervention group showed a significant increase in adherence after three months. Thus it was concluded that telemedicine represents a new approach to the management of type 2 diabetes. Keyword: Telemedicine, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, HbA1c, Fasting blood sugar, Medication adherence, SMS, Telephone calls.