Electronic messaging intervention for management of cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomised controlled trial.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of an electronic messaging support service for management of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Microletter and short message service are widely used, but their health education benefit for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus has not been investigated.

DESIGN: Convenience sample study with randomised group assignment.

METHODS: Participants completed survey questionnaires, physical and laboratory evaluations between May 2015 and May 2016 and were then randomly assigned to two groups for receipt of a microletter + short message or a phone call (control). Appointment reminders and health information were sent to the intervention patients by microletter + short message. Every three months, intervention patients and control patients were followed up by telephone. After 12 months, changes in cardiovascular risk factors in each group were evaluated and compared.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant changes or between-group differences in daily smoking and drinking. There were statistically significant between-group differences in glycated haemoglobin (p = .034), postprandial plasma glucose (p = .001), postprandial insulin (p = .005), total cholesterol (p = .038) and low-density lipoprotein (p < .001). Levels of glycated haemoglobin (p = .011), fasting plasma glucose (p = .007), postprandial plasma glucose (p < .001), fasting insulin (p = 0.004), postprandial insulin (p < .001), total cholesterol (p < .001) and low-density lipoprotein (p < .001) were found to be decreased significantly in intervention patients. Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in patients only followed by telephone (p = .014). The microletter + short message intervention was an effective means of reducing cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSION: Regular smartphone communication had a favourable impact on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Regular smartphone communication has a favourable impact on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.