Effect of Mobile-Based Application Usage on Time in Range and Time above Range in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Cohort Retrospective Study

Abstract

Achieving recommended glucose targets is challenging for many people with diabetes. An application that assists in self-management through continuous glucose monitoring may help reduce glycemic variability and help people with diabetes reach glucose targets. We aimed to evaluate how a digital collection of meal photos and postprandial continuous glucose monitoring data may impact glycemic stability. We assessed people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and a time in range of <70%. Glucose parameters were measured at the beginning of application usage and after 14 days. To exclude time in range improvement due to continuous glucose monitoring use, the preceding glucose data of each user were collected in a control cohort. The intervention was via a photo-based food diary combined with continuous glucose monitoring data history. Users (n=21) demonstrated significant improvements in time in range (11.0%±5.0, P=.001) and time above range (-12.0%±5.0, P=.001). Combining continuous glucose monitoring data with meal photos in a mobile application could help improve time in range and time above range. A photo-based diabetes management application with visualized continuous glucose monitoring data and connection to specific meals allows better understanding of different meal-related decisions among individuals, thus decreasing fluctuations in glucose levels. Further research is needed to evaluate time in range and time above range changes caused by the regular use of the digital food diary combined with continuous glucose monitoring data.