Sample of Aboriginal Australians, 2-hour post-load insulin concentrations are greatest between fasting plasma glucose values of 6.7-7.3 mmol/l

Abstract

Background: Prevention of diabetic complications requires good glycaemic control. This study aimed to provide type 2 diabetes patients with remote active care and glycaemic control through the use of videophone technology without the need for them to attend hospital. The literature recommends additional research to study the impact of technical innovations on improved disease self-management and medical outcome. This is the only study to be conducted in Turkey concerning patient monitoring using videophone technology. The aim of the study was to establish the effectiveness of the use of videophone technology in the glycaemic control of patients with diabetes living in remote areas. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized control study using the systematic sampling method (using half ratio), in which 24 patients were chosen for the Experimental Group (EG) and another 24 for the Control Group (CG). All of the patients agreed to participate in the study. Patients in the CG received routine care, while the glycaemic control and consultations for patients in the EG were conducted using videophone technology. The patients were monitored by videophone for a total of 6 months. The HbA1c and blood glucose values recorded over the 6 month monitoring period were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of using a videophone. Results: The mean age of the individuals in the EG was 54.41 ± 8.54 years (Min=43 Max=78) and in the CG it was 57.25 ± 9.61 (Min=40 Max=77). In both groups, 50% of the individuals were men and 50% were women. When the two groups were compared, it was was found that the preprandial blood glucose levels of the diabetic patients in the EG (mean 159.48 ± 40.71mg/dl) were lower by 13.55 ± 52.89 mg / dl than the preprandial blood glucose levels of the diabetic patients in the CG (mean 173.03 ± 65.07 mg/dl). It was determined at the end of the six-month monitoring that the A1c levels of the individuals in the EG were significinatly lowered by 0.49% in total, and that the A1c levels of the individuals in the CG were higher by 0.17 % in total. Conclusions: It was shown that videophone technology can be useful in the glycaemic control of diabetic patients in Turkey.