Rodríguez-Idígoras, María ISepúlveda-Muñoz, JesúsSánchez-Garrido-Escudero, RamónMartínez-González, José LEscolar-Castelló, José LPaniagua-Gómez, Isabel MBernal-López, RosaFuentes-Simón, María VGarófano-Serrano, Daniel2013-06-242013-06-242009-07Rodríguez-Idígoras MI, Sepúlveda-Muñoz J, Sánchez-Garrido-Escudero R, Martínez-González JL, Escolar-Castelló JL, Paniagua-Gómez IM, et al. Telemedicine influence on the follow-up of type 2 diabetes patients. Diabetes Technol. Ther.. 2009 ; 11(7):431-71520-9156http://hdl.handle.net/10668/1155Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't;OBJECTIVE This study was designed to evaluate the impact of a teleassistance system on the metabolic control of type 2 diabetes patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a 1-year controlled parallel-group trial comparing patients randomized (1) to an intervention group, assigned to a teleassistance system using real-time transmission of blood glucose results, with immediate reply when necessary, and telephone consultations, or (2) to a control group, being regularly followed-up at their healthcare center. Study subjects were type 2 diabetes patients >30 years of age followed in the primary care setting. RESULTS A total of 328 type 2 diabetes patients were recruited from 35 family practices in the province of Málaga, Spain. There was a reduction in hemoglobin A1c after 12 months from 7.62 +/- 1.60% to 7.40 +/- 1.43% (P = 0.027) in the intervention group and from 7.44 +/- 1.31% to 7.35 +/- 1.38% (P = 0.303) in the control group. The difference in the change between groups was not statistically significant. There was also a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and body mass index in the intervention group. In the control group, the only significant decline was in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS A teleassistance system using real-time transmission of blood glucose results with an option to make telephone consultations is feasible in the primary care setting as a support tool for family physicians in their follow-up of type 2 diabetes patients.enGlucemiaDiabetes Mellitus Tipo 2Medicina Familiar y ComunitariaHemoglobina A GlucosiladaRemisión y ConsultaApoyo SocialEspañaTelemedicinaMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Carbohydrates::Monosaccharides::Hexoses::Glucose::Blood GlucoseMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases::Metabolic Diseases::Glucose Metabolism Disorders::Diabetes Mellitus::Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2Medical Subject Headings::Disciplines and Occupations::Health Occupations::Medicine::General Practice::Family PracticeMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Investigative Techniques::Epidemiologic Methods::Epidemiologic Study Characteristics as Topic::Epidemiologic Studies::Cohort Studies::Longitudinal Studies::Follow-Up StudiesMedical Subject Headings::Chemicals and Drugs::Carbohydrates::Glycosides::Hemoglobin A, GlycosylatedMedical Subject Headings::Organisms::Eukaryota::Animals::Chordata::Vertebrates::Mammals::Primates::Haplorhini::Catarrhini::Hominidae::HumansMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Health Services Administration::Organization and Administration::Professional Practice::Referral and ConsultationMedical Subject Headings::Disciplines and Occupations::Social Sciences::Sociology::Social Environment::Social SupportMedical Subject Headings::Geographicals::Geographic Locations::Europe::SpainMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Health Services Administration::Patient Care Management::Delivery of Health Care::TelemedicineMedical Subject Headings::Information Science::Information Science::Communications Media::Telecommunications::TelephoneMedical Subject Headings::Named Groups::Persons::Age Groups::Adultresearch article19580356open access10.1089/dia.2008.01141557-8593