Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction

The aim of the present feasibility study was to examine the impact of an Internet of Things (IoT) telemonitoring program, for elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DMT2) on glycemic control.

Methods

In this feasibility, prospective, randomized, single-blinded, multicenter study elderly patients with DMT2 capable to use the IoT telemonitoring device, with an HbA1c > 7.5 were followed-up for 6 months. They were randomly assigned in the telemonitoring group (IG, N = 24) and in the control group (CG, N = 20). The inclusion criteria of the study were: age ≥ 65 years old, no comorbidities or 1–2 diabetes chronic illnesses and no Activities of Daily Living (ADL) impairments and £ 1 Instrumental ADL impairment. The primary objective of the study was the reduction of the HbA1c from over 7.5 to 7. In the IG group patients’ blood glucose profiles were collected weekly using an IoT Point of Care Testing (POCT) health platform. Allocated health professionals provided by phone the appropriate counseling on lifestyle and medication changes when required. Patients in CG group received usual care with face-to-face consultations.

Results

Baseline Hba1c in IG was 7.655 ± 0.7280 and in the CG 7.873 ± 0.7923 (P = 0.361). Glycemic control was improved statistically significantly in the IG within the first 3 months of the follow-up ( ΙG HbA1c: 7.031 ± 0.4250 versus CG ΗbA1c:7.585 ± 0.7923, P = 0.026). At 6 months follow-up there was no statistical significant improvement of the glycemic control improvement ( IG HbA1c: 6.882 ± 0.5879 versus CG ΗbA1c: 7.129 ± 0.2928, P = 0.321). No severe hypoglycemia event was registered in either of the two groups.

Conclusion

IoT telemonitoring seems to have the potential for closer monitoring of the elderly patients with T2DM improving with safety the glycaemic control. These are only pleminary data and more patients are needed for safer an more accurate results.