Effect of a Pharmacist-Led mHealth and Teleconsultation Intervention on HbA1c in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in Iraq: A Single-Centre Randomized Controlled Trial
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Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an Arabic-language pharmacist-led mHealth and teleconsultation intervention on glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes in Iraq.
Methods and Materials: This parallel-group, single-centre randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Endocrinology and Diabetes Centre in Baghdad, Iraq. Of 189 randomized adults with type 2 diabetes, 146 completed the 6-month study and were included in the complete-case analysis: intervention group (n = 76) and standard-care control group (n = 70). The intervention included the Edarat Alsukari mobile application with educational modules, medication reminders, and biweekly pharmacist-led telephone or video consultations. The primary outcome was change in HbA1c at 6 months. ANCOVA was used to adjust for baseline HbA1c imbalance.
Findings: The intervention group had a higher baseline median HbA1c than controls (10.0% vs. 9.4%, p = 0.027). At 6 months, median HbA1c decreased to 8.5% in the intervention group but remained high at 9.75% in controls. After adjustment, the intervention produced a significant HbA1c reduction compared with standard care (adjusted mean difference = −1.35%, 95% CI: −1.68 to −1.02, p < 0.001). Within the intervention group, systolic blood pressure decreased from 133.34 ± 9.4 to 125.75 ± 9.4 mmHg (p < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure decreased from 88.97 ± 11.9 to 81.08 ± 10.6 mmHg (p < 0.001). BMI and serum creatinine remained stable, and no severe hypoglycemic events were reported.
Conclusion: The pharmacist-led mHealth and teleconsultation intervention significantly improved HbA1c without medication intensification.
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