T2D is associated with personal, familial, social, and financial issues that substantially affect the quality of life (QoL). Telehealth interventions have ranked top at improving the QoL in patients with chronic illnesses. DTMS® (Diabetes Tele-Management System), developed in 1997, involves unique software & trained multidisciplinary diabetes team, communicating with patients via phone/email for slow, steady titration of drugs combined with frequent tele-counseling apart from 2-3 physical visits to the hospital. We assessed and compared QoL in T2D adhering and not-adhering to telemedicine over 15 years (Y).
A total of 451 T2D, (62.91 ± 11.64 Y; 37.8% females, duration of diabetes: 8.41 ± 2.78 Y) were de-identified. The treatment group [TG- 63.41±11.73 Y; 62.92% males; 8.04±1.82 Y of T2D] included T2D with ≥1F-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 T2D who were not on regular follow-up with compromised F-F and TM visits.
EQ-5D questionnaire (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression) was administered annually as part of clinic SOP. The response collected at 15±5 Y was statistically analyzed and compared.
TG experienced a higher score for all the domains of QoL than CG (p<0.001) (Figure 1).
With improvements in QoL, TM deserves more acceptance as an add-on to in-person visits.
J.Kesavadev: None. A.Shankar: None. K.Jothydev: None. G.Krishnan: None. A.Basanth: None. G.B.Chandran: None. G.Sanal: None. S.Jothydev: None.
