Effect of non-surgical weight management on weight and glycaemic control in people with type 2 diabetes: A comparison of interventional and non-interventional outcomes at 3 years

A predictive model for medium-term weight loss response in people with type 2 diabetes engaging in behavioural weight management interventions

AIMS

To develop and evaluate prediction models for medium-term weight loss response in behavioural weight management programmes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted three longitudinal analyses using the Action for HEalth in Diabetes (LookAHEAD) trial, Weight loss Referrals for Adults in Primary care (WRAP) trial, and routine data from the National Health Service Greater Glasgow and Clyde Weight Management Service (NHS-GGCWMS). We investigated predictors of medium-term weight loss (>5% body weight) over 3 years in NHS-GGCWMS and, separately, predictors of weight loss response in LookAHEAD over 4 years. We validated predictors in both studies using WRAP over 5 years. Predictors of interest included demographic and clinical variables, early weight change in-programme (first 4 weeks) and overall in-programme weight change.

RESULTS

In LookAHEAD and WRAP the only baseline variables consistently associated with weight loss response were female sex and older age. Of 1152 participants in NHS-GGCWMS (mean age 57.8 years, 60% female, type 2 diabetes diagnosed for a median of 5.3 years), 139 lost weight over 3 years (12%). The strongest predictor of weight loss response was early weight change (odds ratio 2.22, 95% confidence interval 1.92-2.56) per 1% weight loss. Losing 0.5% weight in the first 4 weeks predicted medium-term weight loss (sensitivity 89.9%, specificity 49.5%, negative predictive value 97.3%). Overall in-programme weight change was also associated with weight loss response over 3 years in NHS-GGCWMS and over 5 years in WRAP.

CONCLUSIONS

Not attaining a weight loss threshold of 0.5% early in weight management programmes may identify participants who would benefit from alternative interventions.

The association between diabetes medication and weight change in a non-surgical weight management intervention: an intervention cohort study

AIM

To compare weight change in a lifestyle-based weight management programme between participants taking weight-gaining, weight-neutral/loss and mixed diabetes medications.

METHODS

Electronic health records for individuals (≥ 18 years) with Type 2 diabetes who had been referred to a non-surgical weight management programme between February 2008 and May 2014 were studied. Diabetes medications were classified into three categories based on their effect on body weight. In this intervention cohort study, weight change was calculated for participants attending two or more sessions.

RESULTS

All 998 individuals who took oral diabetes medications and attended two or more sessions of weight management were included. Some 59.5% of participants were women, and participants had a mean BMI of 41.1 kg/m² (women) and 40.2 kg/m² (men). Of the diabetes medication combinations prescribed, 46.0% were weight-neutral/loss, 41.3% mixed and 12.7% weight-gaining. The mean weight change for participants on weight-gaining and weight-neutral/loss diabetes medications respectively was -2.5 kg [95% confidence interval (CI) -3.2 to -1.8) and -3.3 kg (95% CI -3.8 to -2.9) (P = 0.05) for those attending two or more sessions (n = 998). Compared with those prescribed weight-neutral medications, participants prescribed weight-gaining medication lost 0.86 kg less (95% CI 0.02 to 1.7; P = 0.045) in a model adjusted for age, sex, BMI and socio-economic status.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants on weight-neutral/loss diabetes medications had a greater absolute weight loss within a weight management intervention compared with those on weight-gaining medications. Diabetes medications should be reviewed ahead of planned weight-loss interventions to help ensure maximal effectiveness of the intervention.

Discussing Weight Management With Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Primary Care Using the Small Talk Big Difference Intervention: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes universally recommend that adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity be offered individualized interventions to encourage weight loss. Yet despite the existing recommendations, provision of weight management services is currently patchy around the United Kingdom and where services are available, high attrition rates are often reported. In addition, individuals often fail to take up services, that is, after discussion with a general practitioner or practice nurse, individuals are referred to the service but do not attend for an appointment. Qualitative research has identified that the initial discussion raising the issue of weight, motivating the patient, and referring to services is crucial to a successful outcome from weight management.

Objective

Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of an Internet-based training program and practice implementation toolkit with or without face-to-face training for primary care staff. The primary outcome is the change in referral rate of patients with type 2 diabetes to National Health Service adult weight management programs, 3 months pre- and postintervention.

Methods

We used the Behavior Change Wheel to develop an intervention for staff in primary care consisting of a 1-hour Internet-based eLearning package covering the links between obesity, type 2 diabetes, and the benefits of weight management, the treatment of diabetes in patients with obesity, specific training in raising the issue of weight, local services and referral pathways, overview of weight management components/ evidence base, and the role of the referrer. The package also includes a patient pamphlet, a discussion tool, a practice implementation checklist, and an optional 2.5-hour face-to-face training session. We have randomly assigned 100 practices in a 1:1 ratio to either have immediate access to all the resources or have access delayed for 4 months. An intention-to-treat statistical analysis will be performed.

Results

Recruitment to the study is now complete. We will finalize follow-up in 2018 and publish in early 2019.

Conclusions

This protocol describes the development and randomized evaluation of the effectiveness of an intervention to improve referral and uptake rates of weight management programs for adults with type 2 diabetes. At a time when many new dietary and pharmacological weight management interventions are showing large clinical benefits for people with type 2 diabetes, it is vital that primary care practitioners are willing, skilled, and able to discuss weight and make appropriate referrals to services.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03360058; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03360058 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/74HI8ULfn)

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/12162