Top 5 Takeaways: Tech Solutions in Diabetes and Weight Loss Management
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Dr Neelesh Bhandari
Technological solutions in diabetes and weight loss management rely on cutting-edge tools like digital therapeutics (DTx) for treating diseases. DTx delivers therapeutic interventions via a clinically evaluated, patient-directed software application to accelerate the process of diagnosing, treating, managing, and preventing disorders. Physicians recommend the implementation of DTx in diabetes management as it empowers people living with diabetes to participate in their therapeutic journey actively, provide personalised guidance, enhance self-monitoring of blood glucose levels, facilitate medication adherence, and promote lifestyle modifications.
Fitterfly conducted an interactive webinar on the Importance of Technological Solutions in Diabetes and Weight Loss Management with Dr. Mangesh Tiwaskar (MD, FRCP, FACP, FICP, FGSI, Dip. In Adv. Diabetology, Denmark) leading the discussion., while Dr. Neelesh Bhandari (VP-Physician Partnership, Fitterfly) moderated the event for a seamless flow of thoughts. In this write-up, we will explore the top five factors for which Dr. Tiwaskar trusts technological solutions for diabetes management.
Fig 1: Dr. Mangesh Tiwaskar (Leading Diabetologist and Promotor of Technological solutions in Healthcare)
Technology in Diabetes is the Need for Today
Dr. Tiwaskar rightly stressed that “Technology in Diabetes and other metabolic diseases is the need for today (not tomorrow), and the Covid-19 pandemic was successful in making us realise this concept.” This is because treating non-communicable diseases like diabetes comes with the additional responsibility of managing its comorbidities like hypertension, cardiac disorders, kidney ailments, diabetic foot, diabetic retinopathy and obesity, to name a few.
In this scenario, a holistic approach to the management of diabetes, by including technology, can offer better outcomes. American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) both recommend holistic management of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes focusing on the social determinants of health and physical activity behaviours (Diabetes Care 2022;45(11):2753–2786). Technological tools like DTx can be beneficial in delivering 360° support in diabetes management.
Digital Tools Help in Lifestyle Modification and Diabetes Education
Therapeutic lifestyle change plays a crucial role in the management of diabetes. It includes adopting the right type of nutrition, fitness level and stress management procedures to manage diabetes. Though doctors try their best to allocate maximum time to patients during their consultations, studies have pointed out that a new patient receives less than 20 minutes during a doctor consultation. In comparison, a follow-up patient gets less than 10 minutes of doctor’s attention. Physicians often seek the help of digital tools to take care of time constraints, logistic barriers, staff attrition and lack of compliance by patients.
Dr. Tiwaskar has recommended numerous patients to participate in Fitterfly DTx programs. Among them, 46 individuals have already registered for the Diabetes Care program, and 32 have successfully completed it. In just 3 months, these participants achieved an impressive average reduction of 1.4% in HbA1c levels and a weight loss of 3 kg.
Fig 2: Improvement in HbA1c among members referred by Dr. Mangesh Tiwaskar
Similarly, 27 individuals have enrolled in Fitterfly weight loss programs, with 17 successfully completing them. These individuals accomplished an average weight loss of 4 kg in just 3 months.
Technology Improves Outcomes in a Wide Range of Diseases
Digital tools help in the therapeutic journey of not only diabetes but a vast number of other diseases, including Cancer, Addiction, Cardiovascular ailments, Neurological disorders, Mental health disorders, Sleep disorders, Gastrointestinal diseases, and Genitourinary disorders, among other issues.
A study conducted by Yuxi Li et al. (JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2022 Feb 15;10(2):e32251) revealed that 300 randomised patients suffering from coronary heart disease could attain better control of their blood pressure level than the control group after following a mobile app–based self-management DTx program. They could maintain their systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg.
In fact, the ClinicalTrials.gov website has listed more than 50 clinical trials dedicated to studying the potential of digital therapeutics in different therapeutic areas. By conducting these trials, researchers and medical professionals aim to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and feasibility of digital therapeutic interventions in managing and treating these conditions.
DTx can Revolutionise Diabetes Care
Diabetes management has seen revolutionary changes by incorporating digital tools in the treatment process. DTx can provide custom-made nutrition plans according to personalised glycemic responses, individual exercise and fitness guidance, sleep and stress management by interventions from psychology coaches, and access to the latest Diabetes education resources.
The Fitterfly team led by Shilpa Joshi et al. recently published a study on JMIR Diabetes (JMIR Diabetes 2023;8:e43292) focussing on the real-world effectiveness evaluation of its CGM program. It revealed that 109 T2DM candidates could achieve an average of 1.2% reduction in HbA1c level after enrolling on Fitterfly CGM Diabetes Care Program. Members having an initial HbA1c level >9% could attain an average of 2.6% reduction in HbA1c level with the help of our DTx programs.
DTx Adds Immense Value to Both Doctors and Patients
DTx can significantly improve the therapeutic procedure by promoting better patient outcomes. It offers physicians expanded treatment options, access to state-of-the-art innovative strategies, and a streamlined monitoring and data collection process. These interventions, in turn, help in informed decision-making, enhanced communications, and increased satisfaction of patients during follow-up visits. Patients get customised treatment plans, real-time feedback on health parameters and improved medication adherence.
These were the top five factors for which Dr. Tiwaskar trusts technological solutions for diabetes management. Dr. Vineet Nair (Senior Medical Officer, Fitterfly), Dr. Pradeep Kumar (Diabetologist, Bangalore), and Dr. Nitin Ghaisas (Diabetologist, Nashik) also shared their thoughts during the Q and A.
From this webinar, we can conclude that, in metabolic diseases like diabetes, technology plays a crucial role in their management. If you have missed his webinar, you can watch the recorded version of the event below.
About Us:
We are on a mission to fuel the global metabolic health revolution through the power of Digital Therapeutics (DTx). We partner with physicians to deliver advanced customised digital therapeutic solutions aimed at enhancing the health outcomes of their patients.
By partnering with Fitterfly, you can save time in your clinics, ensure continuity of care for your patients, get research publications and also enhance your revenue. To know more, please fill out the form below or call us at 080-47093933.
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