Jul 29, 2008 6:55 pm US/Eastern
Cell Phones May Help Keep Diabetics Healthy
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Many of the millions of people who have diabetes in this country are failing when it comes to properly managing the disease.
CBS
Many of the millions of people who have diabetes in this country are failing when it comes to properly managing the disease.
Healthwatch reporter Kellye Lynn shows how cell phones could help patients dial their way to better health.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine want to know if cell phones can improve the management of type 2 diabetes.
Anne Baschenis is rarely without her glucose monitor. Type 2 diabetes forces her to check her blood sugar level several times a day.
"We first tried to control it with diet and exercise and I wasn't too successful with that, so we tried oral medication," Baschenis said.
Managing type 2 diabetes isn't only a problem for Anne. It's estimated that nearly 60% of people who have the disease don't have it under control. But what could give Anne the best shot at successfully managing her diabetes is her cell phone.
"When I take my blood sugar medicine or eat, I type it into the phone and it keeps the information and goes to a computer system," she said.
Patients and their doctors can access the information and monitor progress.
The virtual coach known as Welldoc provides feedback on blood sugar levels and displays medication regimens. It's technology that could help many of the more than 23 million Americans with diabetes gain better control.
A University of Maryland School of Medicine study showed the locally designed software program helped bring blood sugar levels down.
Now a new study is underway.
"We plan to do it for a year to make sure the decrease can be sustained and across patients we can achieve the same results," said Charlene Quinn with University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Minutes after she checks her blood sugar, Anne can access the information in a computer logbook or view Welldoc's suggested treatment plan.
This latest study will involve 260 patients. To participate, you must be under 65 years old and have poorly controlled diabetes.
For more information, call the University of Maryland School of Medicine
410-706-3733 or email
kweed@epi.umaryland.edu.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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