Real-world data analysis shows significant improvement in glycaemic management when using the mySugr® app in UK users with type 2 diabetes
26 April 2023
- Real-world data analysis shows significant improvement in glycaemic management when using a blood glucose monitor connected to the mySugr* app in UK users with type 2 diabetes
- After 4 months of using the mySugr app and a connected blood glucose meter a statistically significant reduction in estimated HbA1c was observed, with a reduction observed from one month of use
- The percentage of blood glucose measurements in range also significantly increased during this time
Real world data shows a significant improvement in glycaemic management when using a blood glucose monitor connected to the mySugr mobile health app in UK users with type 2 diabetes1.
Previous studies had shown an improvement in people with type 1 diabetes with the use of blood glucose monitors connected with mobile health apps. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of a blood glucose monitor connected to the mySugr app in UK users with type 2 diabetes, as this population often shows reduced glycaemic outcomes and increased diabetes-related complications.
The study showed that after 4 months of using the mySugr app and a connected blood glucose meter, estimated HbA1c was significantly reduced, and the percentage of blood glucose measurements in range significantly increased1.
“People with type 2 diabetes tend to show poorer glycemic control which translates into increased likelihood of diabetes-related complications. Lowering the HbA1c and achieving more glucose measurements in range could reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications such as stroke or myocardial infarctions, or eye risk complications.” Dr Regina Mayor, Medical Cluster Lead, Medical Cluster Lead Northwest Europe & Canada, Roche Diabetes Care.
The mySugr app is a diabetes management app made for people with diabetes by people with diabetes. It allows for easy logging of blood glucose and automatically syncs blood glucose levels from Accu-Chek meters, and is already used by more than 4 million registered users worldwide.
The retrospective analysis looked at 1,229 people from the UK, with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, who used an Accu-Chek meter connected with the mySugr app. Of these, 52.64% had type 1 diabetes and 47.36% had type 2 diabetes.
After 4 months of using the mySugr app with a connected blood glucose meter, a statistically significant reduction of 0.44% was observed in the estimated HbA1c in users with type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, a reduction was observed in estimated HbA1c after only one month of use.
The percentage of blood glucose measurements in range for mySugr users with type 2 diabetes significantly increased (6.93%; p<0.001) after starting to use mySugr and, as with the estimated HbA1c, this was observed after just one month of app usage. Improvements observed in the users with type 1 diabetes were in line with those seen in previous studies.
“For people with type 2 diabetes the [mySugr] app is good because they can see their time in target improving. I have patients who are testing more often and becoming more engaged because they have the app and they can see their results.” Diabetes Specialist Service Team Lead
Feedback from mySugr users supports the findings from this study. A mySugr user who has type 2 diabetes explains how using mySugr has helped to improve his motivation in managing his diabetes: “[prior to using the meter with the mySugr app] I didn’t care a lot about my blood glucose. I am now more mindful of what I eat because I can see my results.”
One user has seen her HbA1c decrease from 102 to 44 mmol/mol since using the mySugr app. She explains; “The app has made me more aware of how I can help myself. I know my blood glucose results right away and I get a good feeling when I see good results. It gives you a goal, you see that HbA1c and you never want it to go up again.”
About the study3
The study’s aim was to investigate the impact of using a blood glucose meter connected to the mySugr mobile health app on the diabetes management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) users, since this population tends to show poorer glycemic outcomes and more diabetes-related complications3.
A retrospective analysis was performed of 3274 users of Accu-Chek meters connected to the mySugr app with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes from 9 countries in North Western Europe & Canada, who enrolled between March 2013 and May 2022, and were highly engaged, defined as ≥2 logs on at least 14 out of 30 days. Impact on estimated HbA1c2 (eHbA1c) and percentage of Measurements in Range (MiR) were calculated after 4 months of connecting the blood glucose meters to the mobile app.
Of these, 1229 users were from the UK.
Quotations sourced from recorded interviews with patients as part of consultancy agreements with Roche Diabetes Care in 2022.
*The mySugr logbook is licensed for people with diabetes over the age of 16 years. The mySugr Bolus Calculator is licensed for people with diabetes over the age of 18 years.
References:
1. Ide C, Mayor R, Ruch B. Real World Data Analysis shows a significant improvement on glycemic management when using a blood glucose monitor connected with a mobile health application in UK users with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2023 poster session: 26-28 April, Liverpool, UK.
2. Nathan DM, Kuenen J, Borg R et al. Translating the A1C assay into estimated average glucose values. Diabetes Care 2008 Aug;31(8):1473-8.
3. Mayor R, Ruch B, Ide C et al. Real World Data Analysis shows a significant improvement on Glycemic Management when using a Blood Glucose Meter connected with a Mobile Health Application in people with diabetes. ATTD 2023 poster session: 22-25 February, Berlin, Germany.