This original research from Jothydev’s Diabetes Research Centre was presented at the prestigious 83rd Scientific Sessions in 2023, organized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in San Diego.

      The Diabetes Tele-Management System (DTMS®) is a telemedicine (TM)-based intervention and follow-up program for diabetes management, comprising a multidisciplinary team that performs drug titration, provides dietary advice, and educates patients and their caregivers periodically, with the help of customized software and user interface.

      This study aimed to examine the long-term effects of TM consultation along with face-to-face consultation (F-F) on metabolic control and prevention of complications in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). A total of 495 people T2D (62.91 ± 11.64 years (Y); 62.2% males; duration of diabetes: 8.41 ± 2.78 Y) were included in the study. The treatment group (TG - 63.41±11.73 Y; 62.92% males; 8.04±1.82 Y of T2D) consisted of people with T2D with ≥1 F-F and ≥5 TM consultations per year. The propensity score-matched control group (CG - 62.17±11.50 Y; 58.69% males; 7.98±2.96 Y of T2D) included people with T2D who were not on regular follow-up and had compromised F-F and TM visits. Data from 15±5 years were collected from DTMS and statistically analyzed.

      The results showed significant improvements (p < 0.001) in clinical parameters, including HbA1c, FBS, lipid profile, blood pressure, and weight, from baseline to 10 years of follow-up in the treatment group. Additionally, the study revealed that 9.8% of patients in the treatment group and 82.1% in the control group experienced diabetic complications, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, foot ulcers, dialysis, and amputation.

      This 15-year long real-world experience provided compelling evidence of a robust difference between the two groups, supporting the funding and implementation of TM consultations for diabetes management.