From diabetes care to prevention: review of prediabetes apps in the DACH region

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of mobile health (mHealth) apps for diabetes and prediabetes care has surged, driven by the growing interest and research in digital health interventions. However, as the number of these apps continues to expand, both patients and clinicians are finding it increasingly challenging to identify the most suitable app for their specific needs. This review sought to explore the current landscape of mHealth apps tailored for prediabetes within the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), assessing their value to both patients and clinicians while examining how effectively they integrate into the wider healthcare ecosystem. Mobile apps were identified through a search of Google Play, the App Store, and the German Digital Health Applications directory (DiGa), using the keywords “diabetes”, “prediabetes”, and “blood glucose”. From an initial pool of 76 apps, 8 met the inclusion criteria. These criteria specified that the apps must be available in the DACH region, specifically target prediabetes or its risk factors (such as obesity), have been updated within the past three years, and hold relevant certifications. The analysis revealed that while many applications provide valuable features such as food diaries, blood glucose monitoring, and compatibility with fitness apps, they frequently fall short in addressing the specific needs of prediabetes patients and supporting their entire patient journey. Additionally, clinician-facing features require significant enhancement to ensure seamless integration into existing workflows. Moreover, very few applications are supported by evidence-based research to substantiate their efficacy claims, highlighting a critical gap in the validation of these digital tools.