Diabetes Patients with Poor Health More Likely to Adopt Web-Connected Health Devices, According to Kantar Health Study

NEW YORK, US - Media OutReach - May 11, 2016 - Patients with diabetes who are in poor health -- including having more frequent episodes of hypoglycemia and less control over their blood sugar levels -- are more likely to use web-connected glucose monitors than patients who have better control of their disease, according to Kantar Health, a leading global healthcare consulting and market research firm. The findings, which were published in the recent report Edge of Insight: Connecting with the mHealth Consumer, show that patients using web-connected glucose monitors have unhealthier lifestyle habits and less control of their blood glucose levels.

According to the Kantar Health research, one-quarter of diabetic patients who use web-connected glucose monitors said they have hypoglycemia episodes severe enough to need assistance from another person at least once a month, compared with 13% of patients who are not aware of these systems. Only 20% of diabetes patients using web-connected glucose monitors say they never have this level of hypoglycemia, versus 42% of those not aware of the systems. Although both groups of patients are testing their glucose with the same frequency, patients who are not aware of web-connected glucose meters are more likely to have HbA1c ranges of less than 7%, which is the level at which diabetes is considered controlled, than those using web-connected monitors.

"Patients who use web-connected glucose meters are generally in worse health and have worse habits, including being more likely to drink alcohol and smoke, than patients who are not aware of these devices," said Brian Mondry, Global Head of Digital Innovation at Kantar Health. "These lifestyle habits, combined with lack of control over their blood sugar levels, can lead to complications for diabetes patients. It is possible that these patients, given their greater risk levels, were advised to use web-connected devices by their physicians. Being connected to a device that lets them more closely monitor their glucose levels can alert both patients and doctors to any dangerous trends."

See our infographic for more insights into use of web-connected glucose monitors among diabetes patients.

Edge of Insight: Connecting with the mHealth Consumer is the newest report from Kantar Health's patient-centric research program. The analysis is based on data from the National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), conducted March to October 2015, among 97,700 American adults. NHWS is a nationally representative, self-administered survey conducted annually. Topics covered include the health status, attitudes, behaviors and outcomes among adults 18 or older.

Company logo

http://release.media-outreach.com/i/Download/4656

About Kantar Health

Kantar Health is a leading global healthcare consulting firm and trusted advisor to many pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device and diagnostic companies worldwide. It combines evidence-based research capabilities with deep scientific, therapeutic and clinical knowledge, commercial development know-how, and brand and marketing expertise to help clients evaluate opportunities, launch products and maintain brand and market leadership.

Kantar Health deeply understands the influence of patients, payers and physicians, especially as they relate to the performance and payment of medicines and the delivery of healthcare services. Its 600+ healthcare industry specialists work across the product lifecycle, from preclinical development to launch, acting as catalysts to successful decision-making in life sciences and helping clients prioritize their product development and portfolio activities, differentiate their brands and drive product success post-launch. Kantar Health is part of Kantar, the data investment management division of WPP. For more information, please visit www.kantarhealth.com.