The Use of Mobile Applications Among Adults with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: Results from the Second MILESAustralia (MILES-2) Study

Background: While the number of diabetes-specific mobile applications (apps) continues to grow, there is a lack of knowledge about their actual use. Methods: The second MILES (Management and Impact for Long-term Empowerment and Success)Australia study was a national cross-sectional survey of the psychological, behavioral, and social aspects of diabetes for adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Associations between diabetes-specific app usage and demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables were examined. Results: Of the 1589 respondents responding to the diabetes-specific app questions, 795 had T1D (meanstandard deviation age 43 +/- 14 years; 61% women; diabetes duration 19 +/- 14 years) and 794 had T2D (age 60 +/- 9 years; 40% women; diabetes duration 11 +/- 7 years). Among adults with T1D, 24% (n=188) reported using apps, with carbohydrate counting (74%; n=139) as the most common cited purpose. App usage was significantly associated with shorter diabetes duration, more frequent glucose monitoring, and lower self-reported HbA1c. Among adults with T2D, 8% (n=64) reported using apps, with glucose monitoring (62%; n=39) as the most common purpose. For all respondents, the most commonly reported reason for not using apps was a belief that they could not help with diabetes self-management. Conclusions: A minority of adults with T1D and T2D use apps to support their self-management. App use among adults with T1D is associated with a more recent T1D diagnosis, more frequent glucose monitoring, and lower self-reported HbA1c. Future efforts should focus on this association and determine the mechanisms by which app use is related to better clinical outcomes.