Effect of SMS reminder on loss to follow up rates among type 2 diabetics in an urban Primary care center

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Non-attendance for appointments in health care results in wasted resources and disturbs the planned work-schedules. Regular diabetes follow-up allows for assessment of glycaemic control and earlier detection of, and intervention for, diabetes related complications. Various telemedicine approaches have been shown to have a positive impact on regular follow up and patient blood glucose control. Methods: Two hundred consenting type 2 diabetics receiving care at the general outpatient department of Bingham University Teaching Hospital were recruited and randomly allocated into intervention (SMS appointment reminders) and control (regular care) study arms in blocks of 100 subjects. Socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained with standardized questionnaires from both intervention and control study arms. The data was collated and analysed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software 17.0. Results were presented as chi-squares, student t-test and other statistical means. Results: The subjects at baseline were comparable regarding age, sex, marital status, years post diabetes diagnosis, educational level, mean fasting blood glucose measurements and Body Mass Index. In the control arm of the study, 40% of the subjects were lost to follow up whereas only 18% of the subjects in the intervention group were lost to follow up, and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.01). Further comparative analysis of the sociodemographic characteristics of the subjects present at the end of the study with those lost to follow up showed a similarity of both groups except in their occupational groups, number of years post diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, BMI and blood pressure categories. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate the ability of SMS reminders to reduce the rate of loss to follow up among type 2 diabetics attending a primary care facility.