Modem Transmission of Glucose Values Reduces the Costs of and Need for Clinic Visits: Response to Chase et al.

We found the article by Chase et al. (1) very interesting. Obviously, other authors share our worries concerning fewer clinic visits and less costs for diabetic patients because they are dramatically increasing in number. We presented (2) and published (3) a study on the same subject but used a somewhat different technique for transmitting glycemic values from the patient to the diabetologist. Our patients sent their encrypted data via e-mail. The glycemic controls were performed with a Onetouch Profile meter connected to Intouch software (Lifescan) on a personal computer. This system seems more flexible than the Acculink modem because the patients could provide comments with their data. The same method was used for a reaction in which the diabetologist was able to immediately respond when he received the results. In our study, the initial and final HbA_1c values were not different. The actual meters do not allow for easy introduction of insulin dosages, and this important information should be sent by the patients so that they can receive advice regarding treatment. We think this is a drawback in our methods. In conclusion, modem transmission of blood glucose values help diabetic patients maintain good glycemic control at fair cost, but it has to be improved to achieve better feedback.