Efficacy of A1C Reduction Using Internet Intervention in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Treated with Insulin

Objective: To assess the effect of an Internet-based glucose monitoring system (IBGMS) on glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with insulin. METHODS: Fifty patients were randomly assigned to receive conventional care alone (control) or additional follow-up via IBGMS for 6 months. Patients randomized to the IBGMS group uploaded blood glucose readings to a secure website every 2 weeks to receive feedback from their endocrinologist. After 6 months, all patients returned to conventional care. A1C and laboratory test results were collected at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Baseline parameters were not significantly different. After a 6-month follow-up, A1C dropped from 8.8% to 7.6% (p < 0.001) in the IBGMS group vs. the control group, which showed no significant change (8.5% to 8.4%, p = 0.51). Both groups then returned to conventional care, and after 12 months, the A1C differences in the IBGMS and control groups were not sustained (8.2% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.35). CONCLUSION: IBGMS significantly improved A1C levels in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin, but this effect was lost with cessation of the intervention.