Relationship between the magnitude of body mass index reductions and remission in patients with type 2 diabetes in real world settings: Analysis of nationwide patient registry in Japan (JDDM74)

Impact of diabetes remission or progression on the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Japan: historical cohort study using a nationwide claims database

BACKGROUND

Previous studies demonstrated that diabetes remission can occur during intensive intervention and in real-world settings. However, the impact of diabetes remission in real-world settings on the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 299,967 individuals aged 20-72 years who underwent multiple checkups between 2008 and 2020 and completed ≥ 3 years of follow-up. Patients were divided into four groups according to changes in glycated hemoglobin levels and the use of diabetes medications during the 1-year baseline period: diabetes mellitus (DM)+/no remission, DM+/remission, DM-/no progression, and DM-/progression. The risk of CVD was evaluated using multivariable Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period was 5.0 years. The rates of CVD in the DM+/no remission, DM+/remission, DM-/no progression, and DM-/progression groups were 7.96, 4.76, 1.99, and 5.47 per 1000 person-years, respectively. Compared with DM+/no remission, DM+/remission reduced the risk of CVD [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.57-0.89]. Meanwhile, the HR for CVD in the DM+/remission group was 0.75 (95% CI = 0.56-0.99) for change in BMI ≤ 0%, versus 0.66 (95% CI = 0.45-0.96) for change in BMI > 0%.

CONCLUSIONS

In a real-world setting without intensive intervention, diabetes remission decreased the risk of CVD by approximately 30% regardless of changes in BMI, suggesting that diabetes remission can prevent CVD without weight loss in routine care and emphasizing the importance of achieving remission.

Reassessing type 2 diabetes in adolescents and its management strategies based on insulin resistance

With changes in lifestyle behaviors, including dietary structure and habits, the prevalence of Youth-onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (YODM) has increased 2 to 3 times compared to 30 years ago. YODM patients experience complications earlier, progress faster, and exhibit more severe symptoms. However, limited and inconclusive direct evidence, coupled with poor patient compliance, poses challenges in the clinical management of YODM. Apart from the continuous decline in pancreatic β-cell function and quantity, tissue-specific insulin resistance (IR) is also a typical characteristic of YODM. The main mechanisms of IR in YODM involve different aspects such as obesity, dietary imbalance, abnormal substance metabolism, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal fluctuations during adolescence. For the comprehensive management of YODM, besides achieving good control of blood glucose levels, it may be necessary to apply the most appropriate methods considering the uniqueness of the patient population and the specifics of the disease. Early identification and detection of the disease are crucial. Precise screening of patients with well-functioning pancreatic insulin β-cells, primarily characterized by IR and obesity, represents the population most likely to achieve diabetes remission or reversal through lifestyle modifications, medications, or even surgical interventions. Additionally, considering potential emotional disorders or the impact of adolescent hormones in these patients, health education for patients and caregivers is essential to make them aware of the long-term benefits of well-controlled blood glucose. In conclusion, adopting comprehensive management measures to achieve diabetes remission or reversal is the ideal goal. Controlling high blood glucose, obesity, and other risk factors related to diabetes complications is the next priority to delay the occurrence and progression of complications. A comprehensive perspective on IR provides insights and references for identifying YODM and its management strategies.

Prevention of cardiorenal complications in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity

Traditional approaches to prevention of the complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity have focused on reduction of blood glucose and body weight. The development of new classes of medications, together with evidence from dietary weight loss and bariatric surgery trials, provides new options for prevention of heart failure, chronic kidney disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, metabolic liver disease, cancer, T2D, and neurodegenerative disorders. Here I review evidence for use of lifestyle modification, SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and bariatric surgery, for prevention of cardiorenal and metabolic complications in people with T2D or obesity, highlighting the contributions of weight loss, as well as weight loss-independent mechanisms of action. Collectively, the evidence supports a tailored approach to selection of therapeutic interventions for T2D and obesity based on the likelihood of developing specific complications, rather than a stepwise approach focused exclusively on glycemic or weight control.