Table of Contents
Digital diabetes platforms are associated with improved blood sugar control and potentially lower long-term healthcare costs in people with type 2 diabetes.
Digital diabetes platforms may help people with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar and understand their health measurements between medical appointments. A study of 507 MyWay Diabetes users and 10,135 matched non-users found that platform users had an adjusted
than non-users.
Researchers also reported modest differences in blood pressure and cholesterol and estimated potential long-term healthcare savings. However, the study was observational, so it cannot establish that the platform itself caused these changes (
“,”https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0349232″]”>1
).
Digital tools can provide educational material, health records and self-management support. Their benefits depend on the quality of information, user engagement and how well they complement routine healthcare.
Arun’s Diabetes Journey
Tap a card. See how digital support can change the check-up.
Meet ArunLiving with diabetes · Time for a check-up
Choose a consultation
Without digital support
Find reports. Recall readings. Remember questions.
Tap to see the consultation ↻
The usual check-up
The doctor gathers details while Arun tries to remember his recent readings.
Consultation notes
Recent readings
Medicines
Questions
Possible challenge: details may be missing or hard to recall.
Tap to return ↻
With digital support
Review readings. Keep reports together. Prepare questions.
Tap to see the consultation ↻
The app-supported check-up
The doctor reviews Arun’s available records and writes the consultation plan.
Today’s care discussion
✓Review test results
✓Discuss glucose trends
✓Plan next steps together
Potential benefit: clearer records can support a focused discussion.
Tap to return ↻
Follow Arun’s journey
1. Understand
2. Track
3. Discuss
1
HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over roughly the past two to three months. Ask your doctor what your result means.
Digital support, not a replacement
Apps can help organize information, but your doctor guides treatment. Continue prescribed medicines and scheduled appointments.
Tap either card to flip it. Tap again to return.
What Is a Digital Diabetes Management Platform?
A digital diabetes platform provides health information and tools through a website, smartphone or computer. Depending on the service, it may offer educational videos, explanations of test results, glucose tracking, reminders and communication with healthcare professionals.
MyWay Diabetes provides educational resources and information about a user’s diabetes care. It also connects with primary-care records in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), allowing users to access information about diagnoses, test results and medicines (Ravindrarajah, R., Gittins, M., Paterson, L., Rogers, G., Tilson, G., Wake, D. J., Brodie, D., Cunningham, S. G., Kanumilli, N., Jones, E., Elton, P., Milne, N., Morgan-Curran, M., Kontopantelis, E., Allen, T., & Rutter, M. K. (2026). Clinical and cost-effectiveness of the digital intervention, MyWay Diabetes, in people with type 2 diabetes living in Greater Manchester during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLOS ONE, 21(6), e0349232“,”https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0349232″]”>1✔).
These tools may help patients understand their condition and prepare for medical appointments. However, not all diabetes platforms offer the same services or have evidence supporting the same benefits.
How Was Blood Sugar Control Measured?
The researchers assessed glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). This blood test reflects average blood sugar over approximately the previous two to three months.
Compared with matched non-users, MyWay Diabetes users had an adjusted HbA1c level 3.1 mmol/mol lower. The researchers also reported a 1.4 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure and a 0.1 mmol/L lower cholesterol level compared with non-users. These were differences in measured health indicators, not direct proof that the platform prevented diabetes complications.
The study did not find a significant difference in body weight. It therefore does not establish that MyWay Diabetes helps people lose weight.
Can Diabetes Apps Improve Blood Sugar Control?
Evidence from other research suggests that some digital interventions can support diabetes self-management. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that digital interventions were associated with lower HbA1c levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. The findings also suggested that timely, personalised coaching from a healthcare professional may be an important feature of effective programmes (Kerr, D., Ahn, D., Waki, K., Wang, J., Breznen, B., & Klonoff, D. C. (2024). Digital interventions for self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, e55757“,”https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e55757″]”>2✔).
A separate review of app-based interventions reported an average HbA1c reduction of 0.36 percentage points compared with control groups in randomised trials. However, the authors rated the overall quality of evidence as low to very low, so the findings require cautious interpretation (Bodner, E., Roth, L., Wiencke, K., Bischoff, C., & Schwarz, P. E. H. (2025). Effect of multimodal app-based interventions on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27, e54324“,”https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e54324″]”>3✔).
Another meta-analysis of 118 randomised trials reported improvements in blood sugar measurements across several types of digital interventions, including apps, online platforms, text messages and remote monitoring. The results varied considerably across studies, and improvements in blood sugar did not consistently translate into better physical activity or other outcomes (Xue, H., Zhang, L., Shi, Y., Zhang, H., Zhang, C., Liu, Y., Tan, W., & Liu, Y. (2025). The effectiveness of digital health intervention on glycemic control and physical activity in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Digital Health, 7, 1630588“,”https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1630588/full”]”>4✔).
These findings do not mean every diabetes app will be effective. The type of intervention, quality of clinical support and needs of the individual may all influence the results.
Can Digital Diabetes Care Reduce Healthcare Costs?
The MyWay Diabetes researchers used an economic model to estimate long-term health outcomes and spending. When medication costs were included, the model estimated a gain of 0.015 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and £67 lower costs per person compared with usual care.
A QALY combines length of life and health-related quality of life into one measure. When medication costs were excluded, the model estimated a cost of £389 for each additional QALY gained. This was below the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence reference range of £20,000 to £30,000 per QALY used in the analysis (Ravindrarajah, R., Gittins, M., Paterson, L., Rogers, G., Tilson, G., Wake, D. J., Brodie, D., Cunningham, S. G., Kanumilli, N., Jones, E., Elton, P., Milne, N., Morgan-Curran, M., Kontopantelis, E., Allen, T., & Rutter, M. K. (2026). Clinical and cost-effectiveness of the digital intervention, MyWay Diabetes, in people with type 2 diabetes living in Greater Manchester during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLOS ONE, 21(6), e0349232“,”https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0349232″]”>1✔).
These figures are projections rather than guaranteed savings. They depend on the assumptions used in the model, including the duration of health benefits and future healthcare costs.
Research on telemedicine for type 2 diabetes has examined remote consultations and digital communication against usual care. However, the evidence on clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness varies across interventions. Telemedicine also covers a broader range of services than a self-management platform, so its findings cannot be directly applied to MyWay Diabetes ( Alfarwan, N., Hodkinson, A., Panagioti, M., Hassan, L., & Kontopantelis, E. (2024). Clinical and cost-effectiveness of telemedicine among patients with type 2 diabetes in primary care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetic Medicine, 41(8), e15343“,”https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dme.15343″]”>5✔).
What Should Patients Check Before Using a Diabetes App?
Digital tools may help people organise health information, but they should complement medical care. Before choosing a platform, patients can check whether its information is medically reviewed, how personal health records are protected, whether it connects with their healthcare team and whether it involves subscription or device costs.
People with diabetes should continue prescribed medicines, recommended blood tests and regular appointments. They should discuss concerning glucose readings or proposed treatment changes with their healthcare professional rather than relying on an app alone.
Do Digital Diabetes Tools Work in Every Country?
Evidence from low- and middle-income countries suggests that digital health interventions may improve blood sugar control, but results differ across studies. A systematic review of randomised trials reported lower HbA1c levels in intervention groups, alongside substantial variation between the included studies (Dsouza, S. M., Shetty, S., Suvarna, R., Pundir, P., Rajkhowa, P., Lewis, M. G., & Brand, H. (2026). Effect of digital health interventions on glycaemic control among type 2 diabetes individuals in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 26, Article 234“,”https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-026-27908-x”]”>6✔).
The findings are relevant to countries such as India, but they do not prove that MyWay Diabetes would achieve the same results in Indian patients. Internet access, language, digital literacy, healthcare resources and professional support may affect how well a platform works in practice.
What Are the Limitations of the MyWay Diabetes Study?
The study compared existing platform users with non-users rather than randomly assigning participants to each group. People who chose to register may have differed in motivation, health awareness or other behaviours. Statistical adjustment can account for measured differences but cannot eliminate every possible source of bias.
The research was conducted in Greater Manchester during the COVID-19 pandemic, with follow-up of up to two years. Missing health-record data and the specific population studied limit how confidently the findings can be applied elsewhere.
The long-term cost estimates were based on a model rather than direct observation over decades. Further research is needed to determine whether the observed differences persist and whether comparable benefits occur in other healthcare systems.
Digital diabetes platforms may offer useful support for people managing type 2 diabetes, particularly when they provide reliable information and fit into routine clinical care. The MyWay Diabetes findings are encouraging, but they do not prove that the platform caused the improvements or that every digital tool will produce similar results. These services are best viewed as support for evidence-based diabetes treatment, not a replacement for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can a diabetes app improve blood sugar control?
A: Some digital interventions have been associated with improved HbA1c levels, but results vary by platform and study. Apps should complement routine medical care.
Q: What is HbA1c, and why is it important?
A: HbA1c is a blood test that reflects average blood sugar over approximately two to three months. It helps healthcare professionals assess diabetes control.
Q: Can digital diabetes care reduce healthcare costs?
A: Some economic models suggest potential savings, but results depend on intervention costs, medication use and assumptions about long-term health benefits.
Q: Can a diabetes app replace medicines or doctor visits?
A: No. People with diabetes should continue prescribed treatment, recommended monitoring and medical appointments unless their healthcare professional advises otherwise.
Q: Do digital diabetes platforms work for everyone?
A: Not necessarily. Outcomes may depend on the platform, user engagement, digital access, language, clinical support and individual health needs.
References:
Ravindrarajah, R., Gittins, M., Paterson, L., Rogers, G., Tilson, G., Wake, D. J., Brodie, D., Cunningham, S. G., Kanumilli, N., Jones, E., Elton, P., Milne, N., Morgan-Curran, M., Kontopantelis, E., Allen, T., & Rutter, M. K. (2026). Clinical and cost-effectiveness of the digital intervention, MyWay Diabetes, in people with type 2 diabetes living in Greater Manchester during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLOS ONE, 21(6), e0349232 – (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0349232)
Kerr, D., Ahn, D., Waki, K., Wang, J., Breznen, B., & Klonoff, D. C. (2024). Digital interventions for self-management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: Systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, e55757 – (https://www.jmir.org/2024/1/e55757)
Bodner, E., Roth, L., Wiencke, K., Bischoff, C., & Schwarz, P. E. H. (2025). Effect of multimodal app-based interventions on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27, e54324 – (https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e54324)
Xue, H., Zhang, L., Shi, Y., Zhang, H., Zhang, C., Liu, Y., Tan, W., & Liu, Y. (2025). The effectiveness of digital health intervention on glycemic control and physical activity in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Digital Health, 7, 1630588 – (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2025.1630588/full)
Alfarwan, N., Hodkinson, A., Panagioti, M., Hassan, L., & Kontopantelis, E. (2024). Clinical and cost-effectiveness of telemedicine among patients with type 2 diabetes in primary care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetic Medicine, 41(8), e15343 – (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dme.15343)
Dsouza, S. M., Shetty, S., Suvarna, R., Pundir, P., Rajkhowa, P., Lewis, M. G., & Brand, H. (2026). Effect of digital health interventions on glycaemic control among type 2 diabetes individuals in low and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 26, Article 234 – (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-026-27908-x)
Source-Medindia
