An interventional study of digital therapy on blood glucose and weight management in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Abstract

Objective: Our study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 3-months digital therapy (DTx) intervention in the real world for the management of blood glucose in 3,902 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Lingshui, Hainan.

Methods: Adults with T2D who were capable of using DTx application (app) were enrolled. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-h postprandial blood glucose (2hPBG), and body weight before and after the intervention were collected. Participants recorded blood glucose and body weight at least once weekly, and attended diabetes education program with the app during online follow-up once weekly.

Results: A total of, 3,902 patients with T2D were enrolled, including 46.3% of men, with an average age of 64.3 years. After 3-months of DTx, FBG decreased by 0.52 mmol/L (8.05-7.53, P < 0.001) from baseline, 2hPBG decreased by 1.18 mmol/L (11.95-10.77, P < 0.001), and body weight decreased by 1.50 kg (61.18-59.68, P < 0.001). The median number of glucose self-reports for each patient was three (0, 273) times. Defining participants who finished glucose or weight self-report for once within 7 days as the motivated group (n = 1,013), the motivated group showed significant weight loss after DTx intervention (motivated group vs inactive group, -3.01 kg vs -0.36 kg, P < 0.01). No significant difference was found in FBG and 2hPBG between the two groups.

Conclusions: DTx reveals significant efficacy on glucose and weight control in patients with T2D, which can reduce FBG, PBG, and body weight. Better compliance and motivation with DTx and frequent weight monitoring help achieve better weight control.