Glycemic Control Improves With 90-Day Digital Therapeutic Program for Type 2 Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes mellitus significantly improved their glycemic control and decreased their weight and body mass index (BMI) over 90 days with the Fitterfly Diabetes CGM digital therapeutics program, according to a study published online in JMIR Diabetes.

“This program was delivered through the Fitterfly mobile app coupled with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology,” wrote a research team from India. “This program consists of three phases: the first phase is observation, wherein the patient’s CGM readings are observed for 7 days (week 1); the second phase is the intervention; and the third phase aims at sustaining the lifestyle modification introduced during the second phase.”

Researchers analyzed deidentified data for 109 patients in the digital therapeutic program to see how 3 months of participation affected hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, weight, and BMI.

Average HbA1c levels dropped by 1.2%, weight decreased by 2.05 kg, and BMI decreased by 0.74 kg/m2 after 90 days with the program, according to the study. By week 3, average blood glucose levels and time-above-range values decreased by 16.44 mg/dL and 8.7%, respectively. Time in range improved by 7.1%.

Overall, 46.9% of patients had an HbA1c reduction of 1% or more, and 38.5% of patients lost 4% or more of their body weight. Participants opened the app an average 108.8 times.

“During the 90 days of the program, a high level of participant engagement with the platform was observed. Our study also demonstrates a significant correlation between weight reduction and higher program participation metrics,” researchers wrote. “Thus, the Fitterfly Diabetes CGM program can be an effective tool for improving glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus by providing multidisciplinary care based on personalized glycemic responses.”

Reference: 
Joshi S, Verma R, Lathia T, et al. Fitterfly Diabetes CGM digital therapeutics program for glycemic control and weight management in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: real-world effectiveness evaluation. JMIR Diabetes. 2023;8:e43292. doi:10.2196/43292