To examine the present state of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) receiving integrated care and identify risk factors associated with low HRQOL. A multi-centre cross-sectional survey among elderly individuals with T2D, treated in Slovenian urban and rural primary care settings was performed. HRQOL was investigated using EuroQol 5-dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaire and Appraisal of Diabetes Scale (ADS). Furthermore, socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. Low HRQOL was defined as EQ-5D utility score <10%. Statistical analysis was performed using univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression statistics. Examining 358 people with median age of 72 (range 65-98) years and with a mean EQ-5D utility score of 0.80, the study found that lower HRQOL correlated with older age, higher body mass index (BMI), lower education, elevated depressive symptoms, increased challenges across all EQ-5D dimensions, and less favourable appraisal of diabetes. When considering age, gender, education, and HbA1c, the main predictors of low HRQOL were BMI (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.04-1.76, p = 0.025) and ADS score (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.13-2.35, p = 0.009). To improve HRQOL, integrated care models should consider interventions that target mental health, obesity prevention, chronic pain management, diabetes education, self-management, and treatment plan personalisation.

Background: As the population ages, the prevalence of chronic diseases such as arterial hypertension (AH) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing, posing challenges for effective management in primary care settings. Although mobile health (mHealth) home telemonitoring offers promising support, evidence regarding its clinical impact on older patients is limited. Objective: The objective of this paper was to evaluate the impact of 12-month telemonitoring on clinical outcomes in older individuals with AH and T2D compared to standard care in a primary care setting. Methods: In a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial, individuals aged 65 years and older with AH and T2D were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a telemonitoring group or a standard care group. The telemonitoring group received mHealth support in addition to standard care. Over 12 months, participants measured blood pressure (BP) twice weekly with 2 consecutive readings each morning and evening, using the second reading as valid. Blood glucose (BG) was measured monthly, both fasting and 90 minutes after meals. Abnormal results triggered a 7-day BP or 1-day BG profile or a teleconsultation with a general practitioner. Meanwhile, the control group received routine care based on integrated care protocols at community health centers. Primary outcomes were the differences between groups in the change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and HbA_1c levels at 12 months after inclusion from baseline. Secondary outcomes included changes in diastolic blood pressure, fasting BG, lipid profile, body mass index, appraisal of diabetes, and behavioral risk factors. Results: Initially, 128 patients were enrolled, with 117 (91.4%) completing the 12-month follow-up. The mean age was 71.3 (SD 4.7) years, with a mean SBP of 136.7 (SD 14.1) mmHg and mean HbA_1c of 7.2% (SD 1.0%). There were no significant sociodemographic or clinical differences between groups at baseline. At 12 months, the telemonitoring group experienced significant reductions in SBP (−9.7 mmHg, 95% CI −12.6 to −6.8; P<.001) and HbA_1c (−0.5%, 95% CI −0.8 to −0.3; P<.001), whereas the control group exhibited nonsignificant changes in SBP (−2.8 mmHg, 95% CI −5.9 to 0.2; P=.07) and HbA_1c (0%, 95% CI −0.3 to 1.9; P=.75). The difference between groups at 12 months was significant for both SBP (−6.9 mmHg, 95% CI −11 to −2.7; P=.001) and HbA_1c (−0.5%, 95% CI −0.8 to −0.2; P=.002), with no significant differences observed in secondary outcomes. Conclusions: Telemonitoring effectively improves AH and T2D control in older people but has no impact on other cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes-related quality of life. Future research should explore combining educational and behavioral interventions with telemonitoring to enhance overall health outcomes. However, complex interventions may pose challenges for the elderly, suggesting the need for careful patient selection to ensure that benefits outweigh potential burdens.

Introduction: Telemonitoring has been proposed as an effective method to support integrated care for older people with hypertension and type 2 diabetes. This paper examines acceptability of telemontioring, its role in supporting integrated care, and identifies scale-up barriers. Methods: A concurrent triangulation mixed-methods study, including in-depth interviews (n = 29) and quantitative acceptability tool (n = 55) was conducted among individuals who underwent a 12-month telemonitoring routine. The research was guided by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Interviews were analysed using template content analysis (TCA). Results: TCA identified seven domains of acceptability, with twenty-one subthemes influencing it positively or negatively. In the quantitative survey, acceptability was high across all seven domains with an overall score of 4.4 out of 5. Urban regions showed higher acceptability than rural regions (4.5 vs. 4.3), with rural participants perceiving initial training and participation effort as significantly more burdensome than their urban counterparts. Discussion: Patients described several instances where telemonitoring supported self-management, education, treatment, and identification elements of the integrated care package. However, there were barriers that may limit its further scale-up. Conclusion: For further scale-up, it is important to screen patients for monitoring eligibility, adapt telemonitoring devices to elderly needs, combine telemonitoring with health education, involve family members, and establish follow-up programmes.

Introduction: Arterial hypertension (AH) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) represent a significant burden for the public health system, with an exceptionally high prevalence in patients aged ≥65 years. This study aims to test the acceptability, clinical effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of telemonitoring in elderly patients with AH and T2D at the primary care level. Methods: A m ulti-centre, prospective, randomized, controlled t rial w ill be conducted. Patients a ged ≥ 65 y ears with AH and T2D will be randomized in a 1:1 proportion to a mHealth intervention or standard care group. Patients in the intervention group will measure their blood pressure (BP) twice weekly and blood glucose (BG) once monthly. The readings will be synchronously transmitted via a mobile application to the telemonitoring platform, where they will be reviewed by a general practitioner who will indicate changes in measurement regimen or carry out a teleconsultation. The primary endpoint will be a change in systolic BP (SBP) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) relative to standard care up to 12 months after inclusion. Secondary endpoints will be a change in other observed clinical variables, quality-of-life indexes, and costs. Expected results: Telemonitoring will be an acceptable method of care associated with significant reductions in SBP and HbA1c levels and an increase in quality-of-life indexes in the intervention group. However, the cost-effectiveness threshold (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio below €25,000/quality-adjusted life year) might not be reached. Conclusion: This study will provide new evidence for scaling up telemonitoring network at the primary care level and modifying telemonitoring protocols to achieve the best clinical and cost-effective outcomes.

Objectives: To review the effect of telemedicine interventions on cardiovascular risk factors control in people with arterial hypertension (AH), type 2 diabetes (T2D), or both in primary care. Methods: We conducted a systematic review in February 2024 using PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases. We included randomised controlled trials from 2010 onwards, lasting ≥3 months, comparing telemedicine to standard care for managing cardiovascular risk factors in adults with AH, T2D, or both. Results: Among 1803 records, 54 were included. Telemonitoring with teleconsultations showed the best outcomes. For AH, systolic blood pressure decreased by −5.63 mmHg (95% CI −9.13 to −2.13) at 6 months and −5.59 mmHg (95% CI −10.03 to −1.14) at 12 months compared to standard care. For T2D, HbA1c decreased by −0.45% (95% CI −0.90 to 0.00) at 6 months and −0.18% (95% CI −0.41 to 0.05) at 12 months compared to standard care. Blood glucose self-monitoring was as effective as telemonitoring for T2D at 6 months. The effect on diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and body mass index was non-significant. Discussion: Telemedicine offers short-term benefits but lacks long-term effectiveness. Optimal outcomes require a combined telemedicine approach, health education co-intervention, ≥12-month follow-up, and careful patient selection.