The effectiveness of Internet-based blood glucose monitoring system on improving diabetes control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the use of an Internet-based blood glucose monitoring system could improve glycemic control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: In a randomized, controlled clinical trial, a total of 70 adolescent subjects with T1DM were recruited. Subjects randomized to the intervention group (n = 36) were instructed to submit their blood glucose levels weekly by Internet to the diabetes care team during a period of 6 months. Subjects randomized to the control group (n = 34) did not submit results but were under routine follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline, patients were 15.1 ± 2.6 years of age with mean HbA1c of 8.3 ± 1.3%. At the 6-month follow-up period, no by-group differences in change from baseline to end of treatment HbA1c levels were detected. In the intervention group, 12/36 did not submit blood glucose levels and were classified as non-compliant. In a secondary exploratory analysis in which non-compliant patients were omitted, HbA1c values in the compliant intervention group declined from 8.5 ± 1.7% at baseline to 8.2 ± 1.2% at 6 months, while in the control group HbA1c values increased from 8.2 ± 1.1 to 8.4 ± 1.1%, this difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: An Internet-based blood glucose monitoring system was not associated with improved glycemic control in adolescents with T1DM. Identification of a sub-group of compliant subjects who may improve metabolic control by using this tool is needed.