At the 79th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association in San Francisco, pharma giant Roche and India-based digital therapeutics company Wellthy Therapeutics presented real world data of improved diabetes care outcomes in a South Asian population when patients followed prescribed plan of medication and lifestyle modification in conjunction with a combination therapy of self-monitoring blood glucose device and a clinically validated digital therapeutic (DTx).

WHAT HAPPENED

The study evaluated data from 833 individuals who used both the Accu-Chek Active blood glucose monitor and the Wellthy Care Digital Therapeutic, to form an iPDM (integrated personalised diabetes management) solution. The Accu-Chek Active device was used to monitor blood glucose values, while the Wellthy Care Digital Therapeutic provided real time artificial intelligence-powered feedback and coaching, with a self-management program based on American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) guidelines.

WHAT’S THE IMPACT

The study demonstrated that increased engagement on the combined Digital Therapeutic (DTx) was highly correlated with reduced blood sugar levels from baseline. There was a significant difference between the mean first and last logged fasting blood sugar (FBS) (149.33 mg/dl vs 132.83 mg/dl, p = 0.0013) and random blood sugar (RBS) (202.20 mg/dl vs 169.79 mg/dl, p = 0.004) values. The highest tertile of DTx engagement was correlated with a larger blood sugar reduction in both FBS and RBS, than those who were in the lowest tertile.

The ongoing results present a favourable case in the potential use of the self-monitoring blood sugar device and DTx combination in resource constrained, low health literacy markets such as India.

THE LARGER TREND

Diabetes management is a major market opportunity in the health tech world, and the use of digital technologies such as mobile applications is an increasingly common way to manage diabetes-related conditions. POPS! one, a diabetes management system was commercially launched in the US in March this year. The system uses an algorithm to give users real-time personalised diabetes coaching. It also includes small glucose meter that attaches to the back of a user’s smartphone. Users can check their glucose levels on the meter and the results will automatically transfer to the app. The platform lets users track their blood glucose levels. Users can decide to share that data with family members or a physician.

Health2Sync and Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd partnered in Japan to support digital diabetes management and facilitate communication between diabetics and healthcare providers in March 2019. Health2Sync bridges the lengthy gap between doctor visits by enabling frequent digital touch points between patients and healthcare providers. The SyncHealth app can provide hints and nudges concerning meals, exercise, and blood glucose management, delivered in a compelling and friendly way that encourages users to stay adherent to their treatment plans.

ON THE RECORD

“Evidence-based recommendations on lifestyle management are crucial for good diabetes management, as much of the treatment is dependent on the patient’s day-to-day behavior outside the prescribed pharmacological therapy. The key finding of this study was the successful improvement seen in the variability of post-activity glucose outcomes, suggesting that self-monitoring blood sugar devices combined with DTx can provide an effective, low-cost method for optimising individual patient management through personalised insights,” said Dr Vinod Mattoo, Chief Scientific Officer, Wellthy Therapeutics in a statement.

Dr Varsha Khatry, Head Medical and Scientific Affairs at Roche Diabetes Care India, said: “Evidence based-care is moving from clinical trial settings to real world evidence. Delivering effective iPDM solutions to help patients improve their diabetes management and monitoring to improve outcomes and quality of life, is of paramount importance for better diabetes care. We are encouraged to see the ongoing results coming from the combined use of Accu-Chek Active with Wellthy’s Digital Therapeutic.”