A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness of monitoring patients with diabetes mellitus using individual blood glucose meters with function of transmitting measurements via gsm channel or via the internet

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been an active introduction of telecommunication technologies in various spheres of scientific and practical knowledge, including medicine. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases requiring constant monitoring of the patient’s condition. For telemedicine monitoring of patients with DM, glucose self-monitoring devices with the option of transmitting patient’s measurements via GSM channel or via the Internet have been developed.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of telemedicine observation of patients with DM using individual glucose self-monitoring devices with option of transmitting patient’s measurements via a GSM channel or via the Internet.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Publications about clinical trials were searched in PubMed. The search, selection and evaluation of the methodological quality of clinical trials were carried out by two independent researchers. Clinical trials were included in the review if the clinical efficacy of remote monitoring of patients with DM using individual glucose self-monitoring devices with the option of transmitting the results of measurements taken by the patient via a GSM channel or via the Internet was evaluated in comparison with traditional observation methods.

RESULTS: As a result of the systematic search, 10 original randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with different methodological quality were selected. It was found that the use of remote technologies for 12 months does not affect the level of glycated hemoglobin, however, it allows to increase the frequency of achieving individual therapeutic goals in patients with type 2 DM. In addition, it was found that the use of remote technologies allows to reduce the frequency of outpatient visits of patients with type 2 DM, but does not reduce the length of hospitalization and the frequency of an emergency calls of these patients.

CONCLUSION: Thus, evidence was obtained of the potential therapeutic benefits of remote observation of patients with diabetes based on data from foreign clinical studies. Based on the results obtained, a Russian clinical trial of this medical technology can be recommended.

telemedicine, diabetes mellitus, blood glucose meter, clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, systematic review

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