Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Diabetes mobile phone applications (hereafter referred to as diabetes apps) are a promising tool for self-management. Due to the ubiquitous, low cost, interactive and dynamic health promotion, and there is potential for a cost-effective intervention in diabetes self-care. However, there is uncertainty of the clinical effectiveness.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of mobile phone applications on glycemic control in the self -management of diabetes.

Methods: Relevant studies that were published between 1996 to June 1st, 2015 were searched from five databases. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated diabetes apps were included. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis and GRADE of the evidence.

Results: 1360 participants from 14 studies were included and quality assessed. Whilst there may have been clinical diversity, all type 2 diabetes studies reported a reduction in HbA1c. The mean reduction in participants using an app compared to control was 0.49% (95% Cl 0.30%–0.68%; I²=10%), with a moderate GRADE of evidence. Subgroup analyses indicated that younger patients were more likely to benefit from the use of diabetes apps and the effect size was enhanced with healthcare professional feedback. There was inadequate data to describe the effectiveness of apps for type 1 diabetes.

Conclusions: Apps may be an effective adjuvant intervention to the standard self-management for patients with type 2 diabetes. It is likely to be cost-effective at the population level. The functionality and use of this technology needs to be standardized, but policy and guidance is anticipated to improve diabetes self-management care and reduce healthcare cost.