Decision support and alerts of apps for self-management of blood glucose for Type 2 diabetes

In 2018, an estimated 7.8% of individuals with diabetes who owned a smartphone used a diabetes app to support self-management.1 A meta-analysis found that using an app supporting blood glucose self-management was associated with a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) reduction of 0.5%.2 As most diabetes apps fall outside US Food and Drug Administration regulation, intended effect and clinical safety are not ensured.3 Previous studies of diabetes apps described features, privacy and security, and usability.4 This study analyzed key management features, namely decision support and alerts for self-management of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes