Modem Transmission of Glucose Values Reduces the
Costs and Need for Clinic Visits
Electronic transmission of blood glucose levels data —in
lieu of a clinic visit—results in a similar
level of glucose control and incidence of acute diabetes
complications when compared with current standard
care.
The study was to determine whether modem technology
allows for effective management of type 1 diabetes
when used in lieu of a clinic visit.
A total of 70 adolescent patients with diabetes
were prospectively randomized to either a control
group or a modem group. Control group patients continued
the standard of care of quarterly clinic visits,
and modem group patients were instructed to transmit
blood glucose data every 2 weeks for 6 months instead
of a usual quarterly clinic visit. Health care providers
analyzed the data received by modem and contacted
patients to discuss diabetes treatment changes. GHbA1c
levels were determined at 0 and 6 months, and the
number of high and low blood glucose levels and adverse
events were tracked. Clinic visit costs, patient
expenses, and health care provider times were tracked
for cost analysis for both groups.
A total of 63 patients (33 control, 30 modem) completed
the 6-month study. The GHbA1c values significantly
decreased in both groups, with no statistically significant
difference between groups (P = 0.96). The occurrence
of mild-to-moderate hypoglycemic events were similar
in the two groups, and there were no severe hypoglycemic
events. The average cost of care for a clinic visit
was $305.00, whereas the cost for 6 months of modem
transmission was $163.00.
The use of modem technology for biweekly communication
of blood glucose results and other diabetes-related
information to a health care provider was shown to
be a viable alternative to clinic visits every 3
months for an adolescent population with type 1 diabetes.
The glycemic control and the incidence of acute
diabetes-related complications were comparable
between the two groups,
even though the modem group did not have a 3-month
clinic visit. The cost analysis for biweekly transmission
of blood glucose data, compared with the standard
care of clinic visits every 3 months, indicated
that using the Acculink modem to transmit
blood glucose
data over a 6-month period is more cost-effective
than the standard of care. Also, the modem group
missed fewer days of school and their parents missed
fewer days of work as a result of omitting the
3-month visit. Diabetes Care 26:1475-1479,
2003
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DO YOU KNOW
Every two hours a day spent watching the tube was
associated with a 14 percent increase in the risk
of diabetes, says a report in the April 9 issue of
the Journal of the American Medical Association.
And if you're thinking about your looks, that two-hour-a-day
stint is associated with a 23 percent increase in
obesity, says the report by Dr. Frank B. Hu and colleagues
at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham
and Women's Hospital.
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