Analysis of the implementation of a personalized care model in diabetes mellitus as an example of chronic disease with information and communication technology support.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus affects 13.8% of the adult population in Spain, representing some 8.2% of total Spanish health spending, which may be reduced by optimizing treatment and disease monitoring. Areas covered: This perspective article aims to evaluate the possible clinical and economic outcomes of implementing a theoretical personalized care model in diabetes supported by information and communications technology in Spain vs. conventional care. Moreover, we assessed the value of emminens® eConecta, a solution designed to support the operational implementation of this model, which enables the connection and participation of patients and health professionals, facilitates patient education, decision-making, access to information, and data analysis. We carried out a review of the available evidence, consultations with experts and a clinical and cost estimation. Expert commentary: The experts consulted considered that the proposed model is consistent with Spanish strategies on chronicity, supports the management of chronicity/diabetes, and may improve the most important aspects of disease management. In the literature, this type of care models improved or provided equal disease control compared with conventional care, potentiated self-management strategies and reduced the high use of resources. Cost estimation showed a reduction of -12% in total direct costs and around -34% in the costs of outpatient visits.

Impact on quality of life related to foot health in a sample of menopausal women: a case-control observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the impact of foot health and health in general on quality of life in a sample of menopausal women and non-menopausal women with normalized reference values. METHODS: A total of 146 participants with a mean age of 50.51 ± 3.977 years came to a health center where self-reported data were registered. Participants were divided into menopausal and non-menopausal groups. Scores obtained were compared by the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ), which assesses four foot health domains: pain, function, general health and footwear. RESULTS: The menopausal women showed a lower quality of life related to health in general and to foot health specifically. Differences between the two groups were evaluated by means of a t-test for independent samples, showing statistical significance in foot pain, general foot health and social capacity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Menopausal women had a lower quality of life related to foot health, which appears to be associated with menopause.