Monitoring Changes in HbA1c in Patients With Diabetes Using a Smartphone-based Personal Health Record: A 24-month Analysis of the E-PROMIS Multicenter Cohort Study

Abstract

(Objectives) We investigated whether using a smartphone personal health record (PHR) application would improve HbA1c levels and body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes. (Methods) This multicenter cohort study was conducted in 20 medical clinics. We analyzed 118 patients (97 men and 21 women) with type 2 diabetes who were able to use the Welby Mykarte PHR application. We measured HbA1c levels and body weight when the patients started using the PHR application and then every 3 months for 24 months. Patients were stratified according to the frequency at which they used the application (<15 or ≥15 times per month). (Results) HbA1c values improved significantly from 7.2 % at baseline to 6.8 % at 24 months in all patients. The frequent user group demonstrated a greater improvement (from 7.1 % to 6.4 %) in comparison to the infrequent user group. Body weight also decreased. (Conclusion) These data suggest that better compliance with lifestyle modifications through 24 months of use of a PHR application may bring about therapeutic effects, including improved HbA1c.