Peripartum Management of Gestational Diabetes Using a Digital Health Care Service: A Pilot, Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

PurposeThe prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing, and multifaceted interventions are effective in the management of GDM. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a model for the management of GDM with the use of mobile health care. MethodsThis was a prospective, randomized controlled pilot study. A total of 21 patients who were diagnosed with GDM during 24–28 weeks of gestation were randomly divided into a conventional management (CM) group (n = 10) and a mobile management (MM) group (n = 11). The CM group received conventional GDM management and could freely use the mobile health care application. The MM group received mobile health care services, including tailored mobile coaching. After delivery, obstetric outcomes were collected, and 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed at 5–12 weeks postpartum. FindingsBaseline characteristics, including glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), were not significantly different between the 2 groups. No statistically significant differences were found in rates between the 2 groups for (1) neonate large for gestational age and (2) cesarean section at the time of delivery. No significant difference was found in HbA1c between the 2 groups after delivery. However, postpartum homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance, body mass index, weight, and percentage of body fat were significantly lower in the MM group. ImplicationsThe MM group had no significant difference in glycemic index compared with the CM group. However, the MM group had effective weight control and improved insulin resistance after delivery. This study indicated that mobile health care services could be an efficient GDM management tool. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03838380.