Online social networking services in the management of patients with diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Toma, Tania
Athanasiou, Thanos
Harling, Leanne
Darzi, Ara
Ashrafian, Hutan
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Aims
Social networking services (SNS) can facilitate real-time communication and feedback of blood glucose and other physiological data between patients and healthcare professionals. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to summarise the current evidence surrounding the role of online social networking services in diabetes care.
Methods
We performed a systematic literature review of the Medline, EMBASE and PsychINFO databases of all studies reporting HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) as a measure of glycaemic control for social networking services in diabetes care. HbA1c, clinical outcomes and the type of technology used were extracted. Study quality and publication bias were assessed.
Results
SNS interventions beneficially reduced HbA1c when compared to controls, which was confirmed by sensitivity analysis. SNS interventions also significantly improved systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides and total cholesterol. Subgroup analysis according to diabetes type demonstrated that Type 2 diabetes patients had a significantly greater reduction in HbA1c than those with Type 1 diabetes.
Conclusions
Online SNS provide a novel, feasible approach to improving glycaemic control, particularly in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Further mechanistic and cost-effectiveness studies are required to improve our understanding of SNS and its efficacy in diabetes care.
Social networking services (SNS) can facilitate real-time communication and feedback of blood glucose and other physiological data between patients and healthcare professionals. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to summarise the current evidence surrounding the role of online social networking services in diabetes care.
Methods
We performed a systematic literature review of the Medline, EMBASE and PsychINFO databases of all studies reporting HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) as a measure of glycaemic control for social networking services in diabetes care. HbA1c, clinical outcomes and the type of technology used were extracted. Study quality and publication bias were assessed.
Results
SNS interventions beneficially reduced HbA1c when compared to controls, which was confirmed by sensitivity analysis. SNS interventions also significantly improved systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides and total cholesterol. Subgroup analysis according to diabetes type demonstrated that Type 2 diabetes patients had a significantly greater reduction in HbA1c than those with Type 1 diabetes.
Conclusions
Online SNS provide a novel, feasible approach to improving glycaemic control, particularly in patients with Type 2 diabetes. Further mechanistic and cost-effectiveness studies are required to improve our understanding of SNS and its efficacy in diabetes care.
Date Issued
2014-11-01
Date Acceptance
2014-06-15
Citation
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 2014, 106 (2), pp.200-211
ISSN
0168-8227
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
200
End Page
211
Journal / Book Title
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Volume
106
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Sponsor
National Institute for Health Research
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000346060500017&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
NF-SI-0510-10186
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Social networking services
Telemedicine
Diabetes
HbA1c
GLUCOSE MONITORING-SYSTEM
SHORT-MESSAGE SERVICE
SELF-MANAGEMENT
GLYCEMIC CONTROL
HEALTH-CARE
CELLULAR PHONE
INFORMATION-SYSTEM
INTERNET
SUPPORT
INTERVENTION
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2014-06-21