Title : Impact of body weight loss on type 2 diabetes remission
Abstract:
A comprehensive systematic review and meta-regression analysis, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, examined the relationship between the extent of bodyweight loss and the likelihood of type 2 diabetes remission. The study analyzed data from 22 randomized controlled trials involving individuals with type 2 diabetes who were overweight or obese, focusing on remission outcomes at least one year post-intervention. The findings revealed a strong dose-response relationship between weight loss and diabetes remission. Specifically, for every 1% reduction in bodyweight, the probability of achieving complete remission increased by 2.17 percentage points, while the likelihood of partial remission rose by 2.74 percentage points.Participants who lost less than 10% of their bodyweight had a complete remission rate of only 0.7%. In contrast, those who lost 20–29% experienced a 49.6% remission rate, and individuals with a weight loss of 30% or more achieved a 79.1% remission rate. For partial remission, the rates were 5.4% for less than 10% weight loss, 48.4% for 10–19%, 69.3% for 20–29%, and 89.5% for 30% or greater weight loss.Importantly, the study found that factors such as age, sex, race, duration of diabetes, baseline BMI, HbA1c levels, insulin use, or the type of weight loss intervention did not significantly affect remission outcomes. This suggests that the degree of weight loss itself is a primary determinant of remission, regardless of other variables These results underscore the critical role of substantial weight loss in managing type 2 diabetes and achieving remission. They also highlight the potential for remission through various interventions, including lifestyle changes, medications, and surgical options, emphasizing that significant weight reduction can lead to meaningful health improvements for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
