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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the major public health concerns. The current lifestyle and advances in technology resulted in the development of a virtual mode of professional healthcare, which is an effective alternative method of management of patients. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of implementation of a virtual comprehensive care programme during the COVID-19 pandemic, patients' acceptance and the changes in self-care behaviours, metabolic parameters and emotional factors. METHODS: The programme employed in this study included nine health interventions in 1 day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the mode of interventions, including questionnaires, patient evaluations and a satisfaction survey, was modified to the virtual form in 2020. This study assessed the changes in self-care behaviours, metabolic parameters and emotional factors and compared the data pertaining to patients who received virtual healthcare in 2020 with those who received face-to-face modality of medical care in 2019. RESULTS: During June to November 2020, 130 patients received healthcare by means of the virtual modality. The change in modality of healthcare was feasible and 75% of the patients displayed good acceptance of the same. The evaluation of self-care behaviours included self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) levels, foot care and regular exercise. The duration of exercise decreased from 120 to 0 min/week (p < 0.001). However, there was no change in metabolic parameters. Regarding the mental health parameters, we observed an increase in the proportion of patients with anxiety (21.5% versus 11.1%), depressive symptoms (10.8% versus 4.3%), diabetes distress (18.5% versus 11.1%) and prescription of psychotropic drugs (32.8% versus 18.2%) (p < 0.05) in virtual versus face-to-face, respectively. CONCLUSION: The virtual comprehensive care programme for the management of patients with diabetes is a feasible approach that allows healthcare professionals to provide an adequate care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
RESUMO
CONTEXT: Patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥35 kg/m2 have lower benefits with intensive treatments and metabolic control goals are more difficult to reach. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effect of a comprehensive care program in patients with a BMI ≥35 kg/m2. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Comprehensive Care Center in a National Institute of Health. PATIENTS: Patients with type 2 diabetes, ≤5 years of diagnosis, without disabling complications, nonsmokers, and a BMI <45 kg/m2. INTERVENTIONS: Exercise and nutritional interventions are modified for patients with a higher BMI to achieve metabolic control. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Main outcome is achievement of treatment goals defined as HbA1c <7%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) <100 mg/dL, and blood pressure <130/80 mm Hg. Secondary measures were the percentage of patients achieving three metabolic goals. RESULTS: A total of 587 patients with annual evaluation were included. Mean age was 55.3 ± 9.5 years, 56.6% women, time since diagnosis of 1 year (0 to 5). BMI <35 kg/m2 group included 521 patients and BMI ≥35 kg/m2 group included 66 patients. In the BMI ≥35 kg/m2 group, we observed a greater decrease in weight and fat mass at 3 months compared with <35 kg/m2 group, but the HbA1c, LDL-c, or blood pressure goals were similar at 3 months and 1 year between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive interventions are equally effective in patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes with BMI ≥35 kg/m2 compared with patients with a lower BMI.
