Improving gestational diabetes care: Mobile glucose monitoring to reduce complications

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) incurs risks for both mother and baby and requires close medical attention throughout pregnancy. This retrospective study examined the impact of myDiabby® software on GDM care and complications.

Material and methods: The study population was divided between a pre-MyDiabby® group, with traditional monitoring before September 2017, and a myDiabby® group, using the myDiabby® app after September 2017. The aim was to compare the main complications of GDM and blood glucose control between the two groups, using Fisher's exact test or bilateral Student t-test as appropriate. Backward logistic regression was used to identify independent factors associated with glycemic control and caesarean section (C-section).

Results: There were 622 pre-myDiabby® and 649 myDiabby® patients. The myDiabby® group showed significantly lower risk of C-section (17.2% vs. 11.3%, P=0.004). After adjustment for pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), maternal age, prematurity, macrosomia and eclampsia, telemedicine was independently associated with a lower rate of C-section (OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.51-0.89, P=0.005). Glycemic control improved (66.6% vs. 85.4%, P<0.001), with only a trend for need of insulin treatment. MyDiabby® remained associated with glycemic control (OR=3.15, 95% CI: 2.87-4.33, P<0.001) independently of pre-pregnancy BMI, insulin treatment or personal history of GDM.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential benefits of using telemedicine tools in the management of GDM during pregnancy.

Keywords: Blood glucose control; Gestational diabetes; Obstetric complications; Telemedicine.