Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To investigate the acceptability and feasibility of using short message services (SMS) via cell phones to ensure adherence to management prescriptions by diabetic patients.
METHODS
Type 2 diabetic patients with 5 or more years of diabetes and having HbA1c between 7.0% to 10% were randomized to the control arm (n = 105) to receive standard care and to the intervention arm (SMS, n = 110). Messages in English on principles of diabetes management were sent once in 3 days, the contents and frequencies varied as per the patients' preferences. The study duration was 1 year. All participants were advised to report for quarterly clinic visits. A comparative assessment of the clinical, biochemical and anthropometric outcomes was made among the groups at the annual visit.
RESULTS
Annual review was possible in 71% of intervention group and 63% of control group. SMS was acceptable to the patients and the median number requested was 2 per week. HbA1c and plasma lipids improved significantly in the SMS group.
CONCLUSIONS
The pilot study showed that frequent communication via SMS was acceptable to diabetic patients and it helped to improve the health outcomes.

Authors

Shetty AS, Chamukuttan S, Nanditha A, Raj RK, Ramachandran A

Institution

Dr. A. Ramachandran's Diabetes Hospitals, Chennai, India.

Source

The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 59: 2011 Nov pg 711-4

MeSH

Adult
Aged
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Blood Glucose
Cellular Phone
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Diet
Exercise
Female
Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated
Humans
Hypoglycemic Agents
India
Insulin
Life Style
Male
Medication Adherence
Middle Aged
Motivation
Patient Education as Topic
Pilot Projects
Reinforcement (Psychology)
Self Care
Text Messaging

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22616337