Use of Information Technology in the Prevention of Diabetes

Overview

Type 2 diabetes is a major and increasing problem in India and the UK. In clinical trials it can be prevented in people at high risk by lifestyle intervention. While these trials established the proof of principle, they involved a degree of input from healthcare professionals not feasible outside the trial situation. We hypothesize that diabetes prevention can be achieved at lower cost using personalised feedback via mobile phone, based on information on healthy diet and physical activity habits. We shall develop research protocols and computerized algorithms to test this hypothesis in India for application subsequently in the UK and elsewhere.

Diabetes prevention programmes conducted in various ethnic and racial populations have conclusively demonstrated that lifestyle modification (LSM) focussed on caloric restriction and increased physical activity can prevent or postpone the onset of T2DM. The Indian Diabetes Prevention Programme-1 (IDPP-1) conducted by our group established that LSM is an effective tool for the primary prevention of T2DM in Asian Indian subjects (1). But the major hurdle for any clinical trial is to disseminate the intervention principles at a community level is often proved to be very difficult. The main objective of this prevention programme is to determine whether individualized messages on LSM (diet and physical activity) by mobile phone-based message delivery system can help educate and motivate subjects with a high risk for developing type 2 diabetes to adhere to LSM and thereby improve glucose tolerance. Sample selection: This is a randomized, controlled prospective study, carried out in participants who have been diagnosed with persistent IGT using the 1999 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Interested participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria participated in this prevention programme. Screening was carried out in the work places. The participants were advised not to do any strenuous work during the screening period. Interested participants, after an overnight fast of 8 to 12 hours, underwent a capillary blood glucose test 2h PG after an ingestion of 75G glucose. Among the subjects identified with IGT, those with 2h PG values \>8.9 mmol/l (≥ 160 mg/dl) were invited for a confirmatory OGTT, within a week. During the 2nd GTT, venous blood samples were collected at fasting (0 minute), 30 and 120 minutes after the glucose intake.Subjects who satisfied the criteria for IGT on both occasions were recruited for this prevention programme. Randomized was based on the MATLAB 'randperm' random number generator (MARSAGLIA RANDOM NUMBER generator algorithm). Recruitment: Subjects were recruited into two groups: 1. control arm: advised on LSM and the beneficial effects of healthy dietary habits, weight reduction and increased physical activity at the baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months respectively (standard care advise). 2. Intervention group: receive in addition to the above advise would receive frequent text messages on general well being and different forms of physical activity and principles of healthy diet. The frequency and time at which each participant preferred to receive the messages were noted. Assessments: Both groups will undergo personal reviews at 6 monthly intervals for a period of 2 years. At randomization, participants were interviewed personally to elicit demographic, medical, diet, behavioral and physical activity details. 6 \& 18 month assessments: Diet and physical activity questionnaires, body weight, WC, pulse and BP will be obtained. Two hour post glucose will be measured. 12 \& 24 month assessment: Participants will be questioned about the acceptability of the project and its impact on their life. Changes in health will be documented and the physical examination repeated. They will complete further dietary, physical activity and quality of life questionnaires and will be asked about their use of healthcare resources for health economic assessment. The OGTT and ECG will be repeated, with other measurements as at baseline.