Investigation of the Efficiency of Digital Applications in the Follow-up of Obesity Patients whose Follow-up and Treatment Process is Disrupted due to the COVID-19 Global Outbreak

With this project, to investigate the effectiveness of digital applications in the follow-up of obesity patients who are followed in an Obesity Center and whose follow-up and treatment process is disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic; In the light of the data to be obtained, it is aimed that patients can continue their healthy and adequate nutrition, regular physical activity habits and weight loss skills by minimizing the visits to the Center in this process. Within the scope of the project, 30 obesity patients followed up at the SBU Antalya Training and Research Hospital Obesity Center were followed for about 3 months, regularly, with instant feedback when necessary, without any service interruption, with the model in which the use of smart bracelets was integrated into the smart phone application we developed. 96.7% (n=29) of the patients were female, 3.3% (n=1) were male; 90% are married and 10% are single. The mean age was calculated as 42.57±7.57 years (min:21-max:50). At the end of the project, the average weight of the patients changed from 92.25 kg to 89.7 kg; It was observed that BMIs decreased from 35.5 kg/m2 to 34.8 kg/m2, and this decrease was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). A statistically significant decrease was also found in HbA1c and triglyceride levels, as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressures, which are among the laboratory parameters of the patients who were followed up digitally. A statistically significant positive moderate correlation was found between the changes in the amount of calories consumed and the changes in fasting insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and triglyceride. In addition, it was observed that an increase in the duration of walking exercise at the end of the project increased weight loss, while an increase in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR values ​​decreased weight loss. It has been determined that online or smart phone/smart wristband-based tracking and referrals can be used as an effective method in the maintenance of treatment of obesity patients who do not prefer to go to the hospital due to the pandemic. It is stated that the dissemination of similar digital applications by adapting the system appropriately may also be beneficial in public-private obesity centers, obesity units affiliated to Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics and centers where bariatric surgery is performed; It can provide convenience to both the treating physician and the patient receiving treatment in the instantaneous evaluation of data in the follow-up of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension; It is thought that it may also be effective in solving the problem of malnutrition, which is an important health problem, which is frequently seen in patients receiving Home Health Care Services.