An exploration of the potential reach of smartphones in diabetes.

Although smartphones bear potential to improve diabetes self-management, the reach of smartphones in diabetic populations remains uncertain. Using survey data from the Pew Research Center, we compared smartphone use in individuals with and without diabetes, and determined factors associated with smartphone use among those with diabetes. Of the 2989 adults surveyed, 1360 were smartphone users, and 332 individuals had diabetes. Compared to individuals without diabetes, adults with diabetes were less likely to be smartphone users (relative risk of 0.43, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.54) even after adjusting for age, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status (adjusted RR of 0.78, 95%CI 0.57-0.98). Among individuals with diabetes, high income, younger age and online health information seeking were associated with higher smartphone use. While smartphones can reach subgroups for diabetes care and prevention (racial/ethnic minorities, newly diagnosed individuals), studies are needed to understand this current difference in smartphone use.