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Research on mobile medical apps for diabetes mellitus (DM) patients
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Intent to analyze commercially available apps available for DM patients
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Apps have outcomes published in the literature, received FDA or CE Mark approval
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Apps intend to support blood glucose (BG) and DM self-management
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14 mobile medical apps identified: smartphone-based and glucose meter-based apps
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To study apps efficacy, 14 studies were found accordingly
People with diabetes mellitus (DM) experience challenges connected to knowledge deficiencies, inability to adapt to lifestyle changes, and limited access to medical professionals for timely consultation. To address these issues, researchers advocate that mobile health services might help DM patients manage their life with disease better (Drincic et al., 2016). Smartphone technologies allowed companies to create mobile medical applications (apps) aimed to help patients enhance their self-management and improve communication with healthcare professionals. Thus, researchers have developed criteria to analyze apps; they had to be commercially available in the US or EU, had clinical outcomes data in peer-reviewed literature, and received approval from the FDA or CE Mark (Drincic et al., 2016). Overall, 14 apps were identified to support patients with type 1 DM and type 2 DM (Drincic et al., 2016). Fourteen studies were gathered from researching the apps outcomes accordingly.
Overview of apps and clinical outcomes for DM patients
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Criteria to evaluate mobile apps was developed
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The platform of apps: smartphone, meter, insulin pump, computer: web-based software
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Function: insulin dose calculator, basal-bolus: pattern adjustment, activity diary, education
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Data collection based on glucose level, carbohydrate/nutrition, activity rate
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Apps were approved by authorities, but some had no outcomes studies
Researchers developed specific criteria to assess mobile apps against efficacy and safety issues and identified clinical evidence needed to provide. Platforms of apps were different, including smartphones, meters, insulin pumps, computers: web-based software, others (Drincic et al., 2016). The main functions that apps provided are insulin dose calculator, basal-bolus: pattern adjustment, activity diary, education guideline on the matter of DM. Data collection and mode of selection were based on glucose level, carbohydrate/nutrition, activity rate. Among the mobile medical apps were Accu-Chek, Diabeo, Glooko, Gmate, Telcare (Drincic et al., 2016). Research has identified that some apps were FDA-approved but did not have clinical outcome data in studies published in the peer-reviewed literature in the previous five years. 4 apps had the approval of authorities but did not have data in peer-reviewed literature.
Outcomes and relevance of mobile apps to patients with DM
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Only 14 apps have data published or have FDA or CE approval
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Apps support insulin management and allow data sharing with professionals
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Barriers impact apps adoption: price, authorities approval, smartphone usage
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Apps can positively affect hemoglobin A1C, hypoglycemia incidence, self-care measures
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Long-term studies are needed to assess the sustainability of technology
There are many mobile medical apps available in the market; however, only 14 apps are proven to have specific regulatory approval or clinical results information in studies found in the peer-reviewed literature (Drincic et al., 2016). The main features that apps provide to users are insulin management with the support of a dose calculator, blood glucose level identification, and feedback based on data analysis, information sharing options with medical professionals and family members. It is noted that patients can improve their disease management with apps, influencing hemoglobin A1C and hypoglycemia incidence (Drincic et al., 2016) positively with apps. However, researchers emphasize that outcomes provided in clinical studies are assessed in a short-term period (Drincic et al., 2016). Therefore, to present the long-term viability and efficacy of apps usage, researchers should conduct long-term evidence-based studies.
Reference
Drincic, A., Prahalad, P., Greenwood, D., & Klonoff, D. C. (2016). Evidence-based Mobile Medical
Applications in Diabetes. Endocrinology and metabolism clinics of North America, 45(4), 943965. Web.
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