Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare > Volume 15, Number 2 > Pp. 77-82

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RESEARCH Original articles

Mobile communication using a mobile phone with a glucometer for glucose control in Type 2 patients with diabetes: as effective as an Internet-based glucose monitoring system

Jae-Hyoung Cho ^* , Hye-Chung Lee ^*, Dong-Jun Lim ^*, Hyuk-Sang Kwon ^* and Kun-Ho Yoon ^*  

^* Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul; Catholic Institute of U-health Care, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence: Dr Kun-Ho Yoon, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Kangnam St Mary's Hospital, 505 Banpo-Dong, Seocho-Ku, Seoul 137-040, Korea (Fax: +82 2 599 3589; Email: yoonk{at}catholic.ac.kr)

A mobile phone with a glucometer integrated into the battery pack (the ‘Diabetes Phone’) was launched in Korea in 2003. We compared its effect on management of type 2 diabetes to the Internet-based glucose monitoring system (IBGMS), which had been studied previously. We conducted a randomized trial involving 69 patients for three months. Participants were assigned to an Internet group or a phone group. The phone group communicated with medical staff through the mobile phone only. Their glucose-monitoring data were automatically transferred to individual, web-based charts and they received medical recommendations by short message service. The Internet group used the IBGMS. There were no significant differences between the groups at baseline. After three months' intervention, HbA_1c levels of both groups had decreased significantly, from 7.6% to 6.9% for the Internet group and from 8.3% to 7.1% for the phone group (P < 0.01). Levels of patient satisfaction and adherence to medical advice were similar. Mobile, bidirectional communication between doctors and patients using the diabetes phone was as effective for glucose control as the previously-studied Internet-based monitoring system and it was good for patient satisfaction and adherence.

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