Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Research

Keywords

Diabetes mellitus; Management; Telemedicine

Introduction

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the chronic diseases which can affect almost all age groups worldwide. Approximately 150 million people have diabetes mellitus worldwide, and this number may well double by the year 2025. Prevalence of this disease seems to be increasing and among all the diabetic cases in the world more than 90% are type 2 DM. Type 2 DM cannot be cured permanently however various methods are available worldwide to manage this disease.

Background

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder, diagnosed by the high level of glucose in the blood. It is possible in two conditions. Firstly, when the pancreas does not produce sufficient amount of insulin compared to the requirements of the body and secondly when the body is unable to properly utilize the insulin. Uncontrolled DM ends up with high blood sugar and with the passage of time it causes serious harm to many parts of the body, especially the nervous and cardiovascular system [1].

There are two major types of DM, type I and type II. Type I DM (formerly known as insulin- dependent DM or child onset DM) is a life-long condition, affecting children, young people and adults worldwide. Type II DM is a non-insulin dependent DM, closely linked with sedentary lifestyle and obesity [2]. The purpose of this review is to summarize the findings regarding the prevalence and risk factors of Diabetes Mellitus in developed and developing world and to review the management options for Diabetes Mellitus especially the role of telemedicine.

Methodology

An extensive review was carried out by retrieving articles from various databases like Pub med, Google scholar, Science direct, Scopus Archives of Medicine and World Bank and WHO databases. Relevant articles were retrieved from different databases by using following text words and phrases: ‘Diabetes Mellitus’, ‘Management’, ‘risk factors’, ‘prevalence of Diabetes’, ‘telemedicine’, ‘e-health’. Types of studies included were descriptive studies, observational studies, correlational studies and comparative studies. In addition to this; different reports were also being studied including World Health Organization and World Bank reports. A literature search was completed within the six months from January 2012 to July 2012 except for few articles and reports which were also retrieved later on. The inclusion criteria for the studies was that the studies have been written in the English language, from 2000 to 2013, reporting data on the burden of Diabetes Mellitus, risk factors and management of Diabetes Mellitus.

The review was extensively done by the primary and secondary author of this study and only those articles were included in the literature review for which both of the authors showed agreement.

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus globally

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the chronic diseases which can affect almost all age groups worldwide. Approximately 150 million people have diabetes mellitus worldwide, and this number may well double by the year 2025 [3]. By 2025, most people with diabetes in developed countries will be aged 65 years or more, in developing countries most will be in the 45-64 year age bracket and affected in their most productive years [3]. Diabetes Mellitus is one of the chronic diseases which can affect almost all age groups worldwide. Prevalence of this disease seems to be increasing and among all the diabetic cases in the world more than 90% are type 2 DM [4,5]. Literature shows that every year approximately 7 million individuals develop this chronic disease. In 2000, 171 million people were suffering from DM all over the world [6], this number has reached to 285 million in 2010. It is anticipated that this number will rise up to 439 million cases in the next few years, hence the number of individuals in developing and developed countries will increase by 69% and 20%, respectively [7].

Over 80% of DM deaths took place in developing countries. World Health Organization [WHO] estimates that, DM deaths might double between 2005 and 2030 [4]. Total number of deaths attributed to DM in 2010 showed an overall 5.5% increase as compared to the estimates for the year 2007. This rise in number of deaths are due to a 29% increase in North America and Caribbean Region, a 12% in the South East Asia Region and 11% increase in the Western Pacific Region [8].

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in developing world

It has been estimated that, during 2010 and 2030 there would be 69% and 20% increase in the number of cases of DM in developing and developed countries as described above, because in developing countries, early diagnosis of DM is very unsatisfactory and half of the people with DM are diagnosed in late stages. Besides this, adequate treatment of the disease is also a big issue which leads to rise in number of deaths in developing countries [8]. Compared to other regions of the world, percentage of people with DM is very high in Asian countries. It was estimated in 2010 that the regional prevalence was 7.0%, and it was expected to increase up to 8.4% by 2030 [9].

While doing a comparison with the rest of the world, India and China were reported to have the highest prevalence of DM in 2009. In India it was estimated that around 50.8 million people were suffering with DM and has relatively more number of people with DM compared to china and Pakistan [9]. A study was conducted in India, reported that the prevalence in female individuals was 16.7% and in males it was 9.7% [10]. While in China approximately 43.2 million individuals were suffering from DM [8].

In 2003 the prevalence of DM in Pakistan was 6.2%, while it was anticipated at that time that it would increase to 11.6% in 2025 [11]. According to International Diabetic Federation, overall prevalence in Pakistan was 7.6% in 2010 [12]. Since it is increasing very rapidly, we can assume that the prevalence would be much higher than the estimated prevalence in 2010.

A study conducted in 2007 in Pakistan found that glucose intolerance including DM was 22.04% in urban areas and 17.15% in rural areas [13-19]. It shows that the people who are living in the urban area are more prone to DM as compared to those in a rural area. But overall, in rural and urban areas, both males and females are suffering from DM, as shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Prevalence and incidence of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Pakistan.

Risk factors of type-2 diabetes mellitus

Risk factors of type 2 DM are mainly divided into two categories i.e., modifiable and non-modifiable. Modifiable risk factors included obesity, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure and dietary intake [20]. By controlling these risk factors development of type 2 DM can be prevented on a large scale. Non-modifiable risk factors are age, genetics i.e., family history, which cannot be modified. Among all these risk factors, most important risk factors are family history, obesity, lack of exercise and dietary intake, reported by different studies conducted in different settings including Australia, Japan and USA [21-23].

The chances of development of type 2 DM is much greater in the first degree relatives with DM found by a cross-sectional study recently conducted [in 2012] in Turkey on 125 participants [24]. An another cohort study [mean follow-up of 23.5 years initiated in 1974] conducted in Finland on 18,831 persons (16061 Swedish and 2770 Finnish) found in 2008 that individuals with a family history of DM and obesity are more prone to develop type 2 DM as compared to the people who do not have family members with such history [25].

Obesity is one of the most important independent risk factors for the development of type 2 DM. A retrospective cohort study conducted in Japan on 969 males and 585 female reported that hazard ratio for the development of type 2 DM among individuals with BMI 25 to 27.4 was 3.12 while for those whose BMI was 27.5 or greater was 3.80, and concluded that obesity can independently cause type 2 DM [26]. Obesity itself may be caused by over eating, inactive lifestyle or genetics. Fast food [high fat and high sugar food] has been considered as one of the causes of obesity. A study conducted in the USA reported that changing dietary pattern i.e., reducing high fat intake and increasing fruits and vegetables can reduce the weight in obese people [27]. Healthy and nutritious diet should be preferred over fast food to prevent obesity, which in turn will reduce the chances of development of type 2 DM [28]. Central obesity is more dangerous and those who have central obesity are at higher risk of developing diabetes, which is being caused by fast food and sedentary lifestyle [29].

Exercise is considered the most efficient behavioral therapy for type 2 DM prevention and management [30]. Exercise aids in blood glucose absorption and maintains its level in the body according to body’s requirement [31,32]. Various clinical trials demonstrated that the lifestyle interventions reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes [33]. A follow-up study conducted in UK on 3012 men in 2012 observed that even light physical activity can prevent the development of diabetes in older age groups [34].

Diet plays a major role both in the prevention [35] and management of type 2 DM [36]. Over eating of high calorie foods like fast food is very dangerous, it can lead to central obesity as well as various chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 DM [37]. Dietary interventions showed a reduction in the development of diabetes found by a review study conducted in 2012 in Harokopio University, [Department of Nutrition and dietetics] Greece, on the role of diet in prevention and management of type 2 DM [38]. Another study was conducted in Massachusetts, the USA on 312 participants found that lifestyle intervention especially diet plays a major role in the risk reduction of type 2 DM by reducing weight and caloric percentage from total and saturated fat [39].

Similar to other countries the risk of developing type 2 DM in Pakistani population is very high. Risk factors of diabetes are increasing in Pakistan like other countries in spite of having awareness. [40]. Major risk factors of type 2 DM in Pakistani population are obesity, family history, hypertension, and increased age found by a cross-sectional study conducted in Rawalpindi in July 2008 on 1091 subjects [14].

Findings of Literature Review

Management of diabetes

Type 2 DM cannot be cured permanently, however, various methods are available worldwide to manage this disease. Around the world majority of the diabetic patients are being treated with physical activity, diet, and medicines (oral medications and Insulin).

Management by using Insulin and oral medicines

Insulin is prescribed for patients with uncontrolled type 2 DM because it is difficult to manage with oral medication and behavioral modification in such patients. Oral medication can only control the disease in moderate situations. But there are several side-effects reported with the oral hypoglycemic medicines and Insulin. Troglitazone is an oral drug which can cause liver toxicity [41] and Acarbose is responsible for flatulence and diarrhea [42]. Various studies provide evidence that treating patients with Insulin increases the weight of the patients [43,44], which can be an adverse effect on the prognosis of the disease. But it has been proven that the combined treatment of type 2 DM i.e., physical activity and dietary counseling with medication is more beneficial [45]. Medications are always prescribed with dietary guidelines and counseling because patients will not be able to control the disease alone with medicines without compliance to dietary guidelines especially recommended for DM.

Management by physical activity

Evidence also shows that physical activity plays a major role in both prevention and prognosis of the majority of chronic diseases including type 2 DM [46]. Physical activity includes brisk walking, exercise, jogging and any type of activity which keeps an individual physically active and healthy. It helps in the regulation of glucose in the body. Various studies reported that routine exercise can improve the HbA1c in diabetic patients [47,48], which is an indication of control of blood glucose in the past three months. For diabetic patients, daily physical activity is recommended for homeostasis of glucose level. A systematic review study was conducted in 2001 on the effectiveness of self-management training in type 2 diabetes, found that out of total 84 articles 72 articles gave positive results on the effectiveness of behavioral interventions including physical activity and diet in reducing the blood glucose level in the diabetic patients [49].

Management by diet

Especially in the case of type 2 DM, blood glucose and body weight of diabetic patients can be controlled by taking care of diet [50], however, more counseling and motivation is a need for its effectiveness [51]. Diet can deteriorate as well as help in the prognosis of the disease, but it depends on how much a diabetic patient understands about the dietary management. Weight loss by controlling dietary intake in diabetic patients can improve DM by lowering the blood glucose in the body [52]. Lower glucose can reduce the complications of type 2 DM, which can be maintained with the help of dietary guidelines and proper monitoring [53]. Among diabetic patients dietary compliance is a big issue therefore dietary guidelines should be very clear and well organized, in order to make the patients understand and adhere to them [54]. Dietary compliance on regular basis can improve the diabetic conditions of diabetic patients. Without dietary compliance a patient cannot control his or her blood glucose with only medication and [55] and physical activity.

Role of Tele-Health in Disease Management

Telemedicine

The definition of telemedicine is the use of telecommunications to support health care. Telemedicine includes timely transmission and remote interpretation of patient data for follow up and preventative interventions [56]. By the use of various forms of information technology like the internet, mobile phone calls, text messages [short message service] and television programs the provision of treatment can be made more effective. The key purpose of telemedicine is to strengthen the communication between patients and the health care provider which may lead to the improvement of patient's health and minimizes the cost of the treatment. Mediums which are being used to distribute the health care are mobile phones, digital diaries, laptop computers and clinical decision support systems [CDSS] [57]. To make the information or the intervention more effective, counseling material can be distributed through phone calls, text messages [short message services], e-mails and online video conversations over the internet [58].

Telemedicine in developed countries

Telemedicine improves the quality of health care delivery in the developed countries. Developed countries such as USA, UK, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, France, Switzerland etc., have adopted telemedicine in the health care settings to minimize the cost of the health care [59,60]. They developed advance networks of electronic health and telemedicine in their rural areas so that the people could easily access health care, which minimize the cost of travel to large cities. Telemedicine is being used more efficiently in USA [61], UK [62,63], Australia and New Zeeland [64,65].

It’s more challenging to deliver health care all over the world in 21st century. Majority of the electronic health and telemedicine services provided in the developed countries are based on the diagnosis and clinical management of the chronic diseases, especially in United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Australia and North America [66-68]. Measuring and monitoring devices for heart rate, blood pressure and level of glucose in the body are also used to remotely manage the patients at distant places at homes [69], especially in those areas where people can't easily access health care services. However certain issues are being faced by the developed counties in provision of health care through telemedicine and its implementation. Major issues include breach in patient privacy and confidentiality, competition in various priorities of health system and perceived lack of demand [70].

Telemedicine in developing countries

Work is going on feasibility and cost effectiveness of telemedicine in most of the developing countries like China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Africa etc. [71,72]. Health care provision is very difficult and is more expensive for individuals living in rural settings, hence telemedicine can improve the health status of individuals living in rural areas of the developing countries [73]. Various strategies are being studied in many parts of the developing world, like prototype systems to transfer the results of the bioassays digitally to the expert health care provider [74] and store-and-forward e-mail consultative support for mobile non-physician health care workers to deliver the health care [75]. However, high cost, poor infrastructure and absence of technical expertise are considered to be major hurdles in implementing telemedicine in developing countries [70].

In Pakistan, telemedicine was introduced in 1998, since then it developed rapidly [76]. The majority of the tertiary care hospitals are situated in big cities like Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Multan etc. Individuals living in the rural areas were facing problems in receiving good health care. In the recent years because of advancement in the telemedicine techniques like store and forward and real time medicine [77,78] made delivery of health care easy in these rural settings to some extent. Telemedicine is used in Pakistan in various fields of health care provision like dermatology [79], to diagnose the TB cases [80] and antenatal care provision [81]. A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted in Rawalpindi in 2007 on current status of e-health awareness among health care professionals, reported that majority are having access to e- health but some are practicing [82]. However, very little work has been done in the field of telemedicine for prevention and treatment of type 2 DM.

M-health

Mobile health is a wireless health technology is an area of electronic health which comes under the domain of telemedicine. This is an evolving method to improve the communication between the health care provider and the patient [83]. Throughout the world there has been rising interest in health sector to utilize mobile phone in health care setting. Communications with mobile phones are increasing rapidly with the time both in developed and developing countries. In 2002 number of mobile phones used in worldwide exceeded the landline and its use in developing world increasing at a higher rate, which can be helpful in exchanging information about health in these settings [84].

Use of mobile phone in health care provision

Enormous use of media and other electronic devices in the field of health care has shown success in motivating patients to improve their health behaviors. Examples of such technologies include television, computers, Internet [85,86] and mobile phones [87,88]. A study conducted at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Malawi, where community health workers were supplied with mobile phone and were fully trained about its use in the far flung rural areas for different purposes including patient compliance reporting, physician queries, and appointment reminders. It was found that total 2,048 hours of working time was saved, fuel saving was $2,750 and the capacity of tuberculosis treatment program was doubled, up to 200 patients [89].

Another study conducted in USA reported that use of mobile phone is an inexpensive technique to promote health care provision and its utilization in health care system in treatment of various diseases like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and chlamydia trachomatis infection [90]. A study was conducted on mobile phones with camera to see its use for clinical microscopy and applicability for global health. The author reported a positive result after designing an instrument contains camera-enable mobile and microscope eye piece, which can help in the early diagnosis of different infectious diseases in those settings where technical equipment’s are not available [91].

Mobile phone was also used to see the adherence of the patients with antiretroviral treatment. A randomized control trial conducted in Kenya in 2010 in three different clinics on 538 participants, reported that those who were being reminded through mobile text messages showed a greater adherence to the treatment [92]. Similarly another trial conducted in Korea on 51 participants to see the effectiveness of cellular phone and SMS in glucose control and behavioral modifications in diabetic participant found a significant decrease in the HbA1c [93].

Use of mobile phone in the management of diabetes

Research carried out on the use of mobile phones in the tertiary health care settings in developed countries, especially in diabetic individuals, proved that it can improve the blood glucose levels by motivating the patients to adhere to the treatment [medications] [94].

Mobile phones and internet are mechanical support tools for the patients with type 2 DM to improve their health by facilitating good communication between the patients and expert endocrinologist. Various supporting systems have been made to upgrade the management of type 2 DM. A randomized trial on mobile tele-monitoring in diabetic patients was conducted in UK, reported that it is helpful in the maintenance of blood pressure and glucose [95]. It helps in collecting data to improve the intervention action on blood glucose levels, HbA1c, behavioral change, such as dietary modification, exercise, medication dosages and number of emergency visits [58].

A review study was conducted in 2009 [includes published studies between January 1990 and March 2008] on behavioral change interventions delivered by mobile telephone shortmessage service, showing 33 such studies, out of which 14 met their inclusion criteria. 4 out of 14 studies reviewed targeted preventive health behaviors, Ex: smoking cessation (other studies also reported that use of mobile phone for smoking cessation is very effective [96]), and 10 focused on clinical care (Ex: type 2 DM self-management). According to this review, positive behavior change outcomes were observed in 13 out of the 14 studies [97].

Various studies have been done on mobile text message to manage incurable diseases like diabetes, with the help of behavior modification [98,99]. Studies have proved that by motivating patients with reminders through text messages can improve compliance to dietary counseling and improved conditions of the patients. A randomized control trial conducted in Netherland on type 2 diabetic patients (207 subjects) to see the improvements in the adherence to treatment by using Real Time Medication Monitoring and mobile text message, found it as an effective method [100]. Recently a study was done in USA to assess the feasibility and acceptance of mobile text message by the diabetic patients and reported positive response was found and it was recommended that its use will prove to be beneficial [101]. One another stud on importance of SMS especially in poor resource setting conducted in India and it was reported that this technique can be used as an innovative approach to fight chronic diseases like type 2 DM [102].

Conclusion

There could be multiple ways of managing Diabetes Mellitus ranging from oral medicines to insulin. Management of Diabetes can be done either through the visits to the patients or the patients can be reminded to manage the chronic diseases including Diabetes Mellitus. Telemedicine has played an important role in the management of multiple chronic diseases. Thus, telemedicine can be used to remind the patients to improve their compliance to the medicines of Diabetes Mellitus.

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