Mobile Phone Applications and Quality of Life
Mobile Phone Applications and Quality of Life
The use of smartphones has increased substantially in recent years. Apart from making phone
 calls and sending short messages, these smartphones can also function as a computer on which
 one can download computer programs (the so-called applications). Health applications are
 increasingly developed and may be a new tool for education of patients and communication
 between healthcare providers and their patients, possibly contributing to a better care for
 patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes.

 Since the number of patients with diabetes mellitus and the number of people having a
 smartphone are rising, it is investigated whether applications on smartphones may be used to
 support lifestyle changes and self-monitoring of bloodglucose control, possibly leading to an
 improved glycaemic regulation in the group of patients with diabetes mellitus.

 Large randomized controlled trials have shown that a stable glycaemic regulation is important
 to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve quality of life (QOL). Self-monitoring of
 blood glucose is an important tool to realize an optimal glycaemic regulation in patients
 with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Apart from a good glycaemic control, QOL is essential
 in diabetic patients. A reduced QOL is associated with progression of the disease, worse
 intake of medication and an increased mortality in patients with T1DM and diabetes mellitus
 type 2.

 The increasing costs associated with the rising number of diabetic patients makes that
 research investigating cheaper alternatives in the care for patients with diabetes are
 needed. The switch from a written logbook to an electronic logbook may simplify the care for
 diabetes patients. By means of an application all variables (food intake, physical exercise,
 glucose day curves, insulin units, reminders to take medication) are integrated in one
 program. But whether this digitalisation also improves QOL of the patient is still unclear.

 Therefore the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a diabetes application on the
 (QOL) for type 1 diabetic patients.
Participants in both groups were invited to participate after their periodical visit to the
 doctor or the hospital-based nurse specialised in the care for diabetes patients. All
 participants in this study were adults with T1DM having a smartphone.

 All participants will complete the The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Problem Areas
 In Diabetes questionnaire (PAID) at baseline and after three months of follow-up. Baseline
 information, including socio demographic information (age, sex, highest level of school
 education), and clinical characteristics (diabetes duration, insulin therapy and presence and
 severity of diabetes complications) will be collected in a database. Moreover parameters such
 as blood pressure, body weight, HbA1c and lipid profile will be added.

 Sample size calculation

 The study was powered to detect a between-group mean difference of 10 points in the The Short
 Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire after 3 months. With a power of 80%, alpha 0.05, the
 total sample size of the study should be 62 patients (31 in each group).
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  diabetes type 1

 -  >18 years old

 -  patient having a smartphone, who are familiar with its use

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  previous or actual use of a diabetes application

 -  pregnant