An expert personal health system to monitor patients affected by gestational diabetes mellitus ::a feasibility study

Purpose: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a condition affecting 3-4% of pregnant women due to increased resistance to insulin caused by the growth of the fetus. Such a condition disappears just after delivery, but it is an indicator of the insurgence of diabetes type 2 (DT2) later in life: about 40% of the women affected by GDM also develop DT2 [22]. GDM brings several complications during pregnancy to both the mother and the fetus. We aim here at presenting our Personal Health System for monitoring GDM and we also present the results of outpatient monitoring and management by utilizing a personal health system (PHS) for GDM. Methods: The Personal Health System (PHS) was deployed in a feasibility study, modelled as a single-center, parallel group, open randomized controlled trial conducted in Lausanne University Hospital. Patients (n=24) were assigned to 2 different groups: standard protocol group (SP) and telemedicine group (TM). SP patients were managed by regular clinic visits. TM patients were managed with our EPHS system. The targeted feasibility outcome was whole trial feasibility, functioning of the PHS and its appropriateness for patient use. Results: Mean age was 325 years and patients were pregnant for 29.11.9 weeks at study inclusion. Patients came from 16 different countries. The follow-up rate was 100%. Acceptability in the TM-group was high, as 100% were satisfied with the care provided and equally 100% were at ease with the technology. Overall median[IQR] glucose control was 5.4 mmol/l [4.7-6.4] in the TM-group and 5.7mmol/l [4.9-6.7] in the SP-group (p