Telemedicine for cardiometabolic disease control in Latin America and the Caribbean: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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• Picked for Health Informatics (paper of the day, 6 October 2026): Systematic review of telemedicine for cardiometabolic disease control

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of telemedicine for cardiometabolic disease control in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). METHODS: We systematically searched international and regional databases from inception to 17 December 2025 for telemedicine interventions in adults with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidaemia in LAC. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using validated tools and GRADE, respectively. Random-effects meta-analyses included clinically comparable randomised trials. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies from 10 countries were included (11 randomised). Meta-analyses included seven trials (935 participants) for HbA1c, four (451) for systolic blood pressure, and three (280) for diastolic blood pressure. Pooled estimates favoured telemedicine for HbA1c (MD -0.62%, 95% CI -1.02, -0.22; low certainty), systolic blood pressure (MD -6.60 mmHg, 95% CI -9.49, -3.71; high certainty), and diastolic blood pressure (MD -4.25 mmHg, 95% CI -6.53, -1.98; moderate certainty). HbA1c heterogeneity was substantial (I2 = 66%), and its prediction interval crossed the null (-1.77%, 0.56%). CONCLUSIONS: Selected telemedicine interventions may improve intermediate cardiometabolic outcomes in specific LAC settings. However, limited and heterogeneous evidence, variable certainty, and insufficient evidence on long-term effectiveness, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and equity preclude broad implementation recommendations. PROSPERO: CRD420251234521.

Abstract as published, via PubMed.