Impact of Personal Health Record Use on HbA1c Improvement in People with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate how using personal health records (PHRs; Health2Sync®) impacts long-term glycemic management and body weight in people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and to identify factors associated with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) changes. Methods: This single-center, retrospective observational study included 154 patients with T2DM (76 PHR users and 78 non-users [control]; mean age: 57.9 and 65.0 years, respectively) between April 2022 and June 2024. Clinical parameters (HbA1c, body weight; BW), nutritional support, and antidiabetic medications were collected at the index date and at 3, 6, and 12 months. The between-group difference in HbA1c change (ΔHbA1c) from the index date to 12 months was the primary outcome, and the between-group difference in body weight change (ΔBW) was the secondary outcome. Factors associated with ΔHbA1c were explored using multivariate analysis in the PHR group. Results: In the PHR group, ΔHbA1c from the index date showed a significant reduction as early as 3 months, and this decrease was sustained at 6 and 12 months (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a similar trend was observed for ΔBW (p < 0.001). Moreover, multivariable regression analysis revealed an independent association between nutritional support and improvement in HbA1c. Conclusions: PHR use was associated with improved glycemic control and weight reduction in people with T2DM, and together with nutritional support, it may further enhance self-management and clinical outcomes.