Prevention pays Interventions to delay and prevent Type 2 diabetes are underused, JAOA research finds Medication, surgery and lifestyle programs have been proven to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes, though access to them is limited, according to new research. Nov. 7, 2018Wednesday AOA Staff Contact AOA Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Topics JAOApreventionType 2 diabetes Lifestyle interventions, medication and surgery for patients diagnosed with prediabetes is proven to delay or prevent Type 2 diabetes in the majority of patients, but limited access to the often expensive treatments is fueling rising rates of the disease, according to research in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. Currently, 1 in 3 American adults has prediabetes and more than 70 percent of adults are overweight or obese. Evidence shows lifestyle interventions, medication or surgery that results in weight loss prevents or delays the onset of Type 2 diabetes for as many as 70 percent of patients with prediabetes, said researcher Jay Shubrook, DO, who specializes in the treatment of diabetes. “We know that it’s much more cost-effective to prevent disease than to treat it, particularly when it comes to diabetes. The short-term focus on immediate costs means patients are missing out on the opportunity to keep their disease from progressing. It’s a false economy and if nothing changes, a third of Americans are expected to have diabetes by 2050,” explained Dr. Shubrook, who is a professor at Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine. Evidence-based interventions Common lifestyle interventions focus on nutrition and increasing physical activity to promote weight loss. Most prioritize offering a supportive group environment to help participants achieve their goals, typically a mean weight loss of 7 percent. In a 3,200-participant study, lifestyle intervention reduced the incidence of Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent in patients with prediabetes. A 10-year follow-up reported a 34 percent decrease in the incidence of diabetes for the original study participants. The results and projected cost savings were so impressive that the Diabetes Prevention Program is now a mandated benefit for people with prediabetes who have Medicare. The prescription medication metformin and other drug interventions were somewhat less effective than lifestyle changes, but also resulted in preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes. Metabolic, or weight-loss, surgery was more effective than lifestyle interventions at preventing diabetes’ onset and had longer-lasting benefits, with a relative risk reduction of 78 percent. “Weight loss is a central treatment target for most chronic diseases because the benefit is spread across numerous conditions,” Dr. Shubrook noted. “We have the tools to change the trajectory for millions of patients at risk for diabetes. Using them wisely will save not only money but lives in the long run.” Further reading: 5 things to know about diabetes Community-based lifestyle interventions show impact in diabetes care More in Patient Care The gift of time: Reflecting on caring for patients who have cancer Stephanie Lee, DO, MS, shares a thought-provoking conversation that made her think differently about life, time and the present moment. How an integrated care program can improve health care outcomes and reduce costs David M. Smith, DO, shares how his integrated care program in Melbourne, Florida, has reduced its patients’ ED visits, hospitalizations and readmissions. Previous articleSingle GME update: More than 6,600 AOA residency positions are now ACGME-accredited Next articleIn Memoriam: Nov. 13, 2018
The gift of time: Reflecting on caring for patients who have cancer Stephanie Lee, DO, MS, shares a thought-provoking conversation that made her think differently about life, time and the present moment.
How an integrated care program can improve health care outcomes and reduce costs David M. Smith, DO, shares how his integrated care program in Melbourne, Florida, has reduced its patients’ ED visits, hospitalizations and readmissions.