Internet-Based Medication Management Services Improve Glycated Hemoglobin Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Internet-based medication management services might help improve blood glucose control in patients with diabetes. This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to explore the effect of telemedicine patient management on blood glucose control in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study included patients with T2DM from the Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine of Tianjin Medical University Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital who consulted between January 2019 and December 2019; 120 patients were randomized to the control group (standard care) and the telemedicine group (in-hospital medication evaluation, drug reorganization, medical monitoring, and advice via telemedicine). The primary endpoint was targeted glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) <7.0% from baseline to 6 months. The secondary endpoints were the changes in fasting blood glucose (FBG), changes in daily medication cost, changes in the number of drug types taken daily, and hypoglycemic events. Rates of HbA_1c <7% improved in the telemedicine groups (p = 0.019), whereas no changes were seen in the control group (p > 0.999). FBG levels decreased (telemedicine: p = 0.001; control: p = 0.007), but the differences were not statistically significant between groups. Daily medication costs decreased in the telemedicine group (p = 0.001), but the costs were similar between groups. The number of medication types decreased in the telemedicine group (p = 0.001). Hypoglycemic events decreased in the telemedicine group (p = 0.032), but not in the control group (p = 0.854). Telemedicine could improve the rate of HbA_1c <7%. An internet-based medication management model was an effective telemedicine method for patients with T2DM.