International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 11, Issue 12, December 2021 1 ISSN 2250-3153 This publication is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY. http://dx.doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.11.12.2021.p12002 www.ijsrp.org Telemedicine in the follow-up of diabetic patients: Utility and effectiveness studied in lockdown Meryem DRISSI OUDGHIRI*, Saloua ELAMARI*, Imane MOTAIB, Soukaina LAIDI, Asmaa CHADLI. *Both authors have contributed equally to this article. Department of endocrinology, diabetology, metabolic diseases and nutrition. University Mohamed VI of health sciences, 82403, Casablanca, Morocco. DOI: 10.29322/IJSRP.11.12.2021.p12002 http://dx.doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.11.12.2021.p12002 Abstract- Introduction: Telemedicine has found renewed interest during the lockdown period caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to compare variations in the metabolic parameters of diabetic patients followed in consultation and those followed in teleconsultation during the confinement period. Patients and Methods: This prospective study took place between April and May 2020 and included diabetic patients followed in their consultation, appointment during the confinement period. We excluded patients with less than 2 consultations during the year 2019, and patients who did not attend the consultation after the confinement period came to an end. We compared demographic and metabolic characteristics, treatment compliance, stress level, and change in caloric intake during the confinement period. Results: We collected 65 patients. Thirty-one were follow-ups at their consultations and 34 were Telemedicine follow-ups. The median age was 62 and 55.5 years, respectively. The sex ratio H /F was 1 and 0.9 respectively and the WT2 was 87.3% and 88% respectively. The median BMI before confinement was 29.5 and 28 kg/m² respectively. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups concerning the increase in caloric intake and the post-confinement variation in weight and HBA1C. Assessment of stress levels and treatment compliance showed significantly higher stress levels and significantly better treatment compliance in the patients followed in consultation. Discussion and Conclusion: Teleconsultation has allowed us to follow more diabetic patients during the confinement period. With an efficiency comparable to consultation, Telemedicine allows access to regular follow-ups for a large population and facilitates patient/caregiver exchange. Regulations are needed to legalize the exchange, protect data and enhance the value of teleconsultation as an act of care. Index terms: Telemedicine, diabetes, lockdown. I. INTRODUCTION: Since December 2019, a new coronavirus has been identified in Wuhan and was named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on March 11, 2020, the 2019 coronavirus disease as a global pandemic [2]. Many countries have practiced a lock-down to limit the spread of the COVID-19 infection [3]. Morocco decided to establish containment for 94 days, starting from March 20, 2020. This confinement had repercussions in patients with diabetes; which is a chronic metabolic condition characterized with hyperglycemia and associated with metabolic complications [4]; like decreased or even cessation of physical activity, increased caloric intake, but also restricted access to care due to hospital overcrowding and restricted discharges. Any or all of these factors can lead to acute or chronic glycemic imbalance and aggravation of diabetes-related co-morbidities. Telemedicine can help patients connect with their doctors while staying at home, away from hospitals, as travel to hospitals or other health care facilities may increase the risk of exposure to coronavirus infection [5]. As a result, Telemedicine may be useful in managing patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, during this pandemic containment period. The objective of this work is to study the effectiveness of telemedicine follow-up by comparing the anthropometric, metabolic, and biological parameters of diabetic patients followed in consultation and those followed in teleconsultation during the confinement period. II. METHODOLOGY: 1. Study design: This is a prospective study between April and May 2020 including diabetic patients followed at the consultation with an appointment during the confinement period. We excluded patients with less than 2 consultations during the year 2019, and patients who did not attend the consultation after the confinement was lifted. We compared demographic, metabolic characteristics, treatment compliance, stress level, and change in caloric intake during the confinement period. 2. Definitions We considered the weight and height of patients taken during the consultation before and after confinement. They were measured using standard equipment. Weight was measured to the nearest 0.5 kg [6] Treatment adherence was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire derived from the Morisky-Green Medication Adherence Questionnaire (MAQR) [7]