Home⇛The PCMC Journal⇛vol. 21 no. 2 (2025)

The effect of short message service (SMS) reminder on adherence to standard care and glycemic control of adolescent patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Kristine Mae D. Betansos | Ignace Claire P. Gamallo | Lorna R Abad

Discipline: medicine by specialism

 

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is associated with suboptimal diabetes control. Studies supporting the use of mobile technology to improve glycemic control and adherence to treatment had mixed results. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SMS reminders on improving glycemic control in adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized control study among adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus was done. Data were processed from 56 out of 64 subjects who were randomized into control (N=29) who received standard of care and SMS group (N=27), who received standard of care and a daily SMS reminder regarding diabetes self-care for 12 weeks. An adherence form was answered by all participants and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) before and after intervention was compared. RESULTS: HbA1c did not significantly differ between SMS and control groups after 12 weeks of intervention (SMS 9.98+2.12 vs control 10.54+2.13, p value of 0.305). Post intervention, there was no significant difference between SMS and control group in terms of adherence to insulin injection (no p value), blood glucose (BG) monitoring (p value 0.106), and diabetic diet (p value 0.803). However, adherence on exercise was significantly higher among control group than SMS group (p value 0.003). CONCLUSION: A 12-week SMS intervention reminder in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus did not significantly improve glycemic control and adherence to standard of care (insulin injection, blood glucose monitoring, diet and exercise). RECOMMENDATION: Future research could include a bigger study population and longer duration of intervention. Other forms of mobile technology could also be used as a form of reminder.



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