OBJECTIVE: This study assessed whether short message service (SMS) reminders would improve follow-up rate among gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients by 12 weeks postpartum.

METHODOLOGY: In this single-center, single-blind randomized controlled trial, we assigned 308 patients with GDM to either of 2 arms, usual care alone versus usual care with SMS reminders. In the usual care group, 154 patients received a 10-minute short lecture on GDM and a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) request prior to discharge. In the SMS group, 154 patients received twice a week SMS reminders at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 10 weeks after delivery in addition to usual care. The primary outcome was clinic visit within 6 to 12 weeks postpartum with a 75 g OGTT result.

RESULTS: In our population, the overall follow-up rate was 19.8% (61/308). Follow up rates were 20.1% (31/154) for the usual care group and 19.5% (30/154) for the SMS. The addition of SMS reminders was not associated with an increase in follow-up rate at 12 weeks postpartum (adjusted RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.63-1.52; p=0.932). The use of insulin or metformin for GDM control was associated with increased follow-up (adjusted RR 1.92, 95% CI 1.20-3.07; p=0.006).

CONCLUSION: SMS reminders did not improve postpartum follow-up rate among GDM patients at 12 weeks postpartum.

Human ; Diabetes, Gestational ; Text Messaging

Objectives: The use of Facebook (FB) to share and gather information on diabetes is commonplace but no data is available on its use among Filipinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to determine the engagement from instructional slide decks on diabetes and its management shown on two Philippine-based FB pages under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). Methodology: We used Insights data from the slide decks and slide shows shown on the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism’s (PSEDM) public FB page and the Endocrine Witch’s FB page. The slide set contained a mix of mostly images and text on COVID-19 and Diabetes, dietary advice, medications and self-care in the setting of the ECQ where access to insulin, ambulatory clinics and healthy food is limited. Data was summarized in terms of post clicks, reactions, shares and comments. Total engagement rate was computed. Results: We noted a high engagement rate (4-15%) in both public FB pages with higher engagement rates in slides shown in the Filipino language for most topics. The slides that gathered more shares and reactions were primarily those containing general information on COVID-19 and diabetes, nutrition including the safety of canned goods, as well as sick day rules. Conclusion In the setting of the ECQ, the use of image and text-based slide-decks on the PSEDM and Endocrine Witch FB pages to communicate health information yielded high engagement.
Social Media ; Diabetes Mellitus ; COVID-19

Objective: This study aims to determine the convergent and discriminant validity and internal consistent reliability of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) Tagalog among adult Filipinos with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Methodology: 104 adult Filipinos with DTC at various disease stages self-administered the EORTC QLQ-C30 version 3 Tagalog and Short Form-36 (SF-36) version 2 Tagalog. Concurrent validity between conceptually-related scales from both tools was determined. Convergent and discriminant validity of multi-item scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 Tagalog were assessed by Spearman’s correlation. Cronbach's α was computed. Results: The EORTC QLQ-C30 Tagalog showed moderate correlation with similar scales in the SF-36 Tagalog particulary for physical, role and social functioning, pain, and global health (r=0.42-0.48, p<0.001). It showed satisfactory item-domain convergent and discriminant validity for all scales except pain, fatigue, physical and cognitive functioning. Internal consistent reliability was good with cronbachs α ranging from 0.77 to 0.88 for global health, emotional and role functioning and symptom scale of nausea/vomiting. Conclusion The EORTC QLQ-C30 Tagalog had acceptable convergent and discriminant validity and internal consistent reliability for the scales of global health, role, social and emotional functioning and nausea/vomiting when applied among adult Filipinos with DTC.
Thyroid Neoplasms ; Quality of Life ; Validation Study