- People with type 2 diabetes are at risk for both cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease.
- People who have long-term remission of type 2 diabetes have lower rates of developing these diseases.
- Although it may not be possible for everyone with type 2 diabetes to go into remission, experts say the lifestyle modifications necessary to reach remission will still benefit.
A new study has found that people with type 2 diabetes have lower rates of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, even after periods of remission.
Research published this week in the journal Diabetes People with type 2 diabetes who experienced remission lost weight but reported a 40% lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and a 33% lower incidence of chronic kidney disease. I am.
“As the first intervention study to link remission with a reduction in diabetes-related complications, this is encouraging news for people who can achieve remission from type 2 diabetes,” said study co-author Edward, a professor at the university. Dr. Greg said. The Department of Population Health at the RCSI College of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dublin, Ireland, said in a press statement.
“While our study also serves as a reminder that weight loss and remission are difficult to maintain, our findings also demonstrate that successful remission is associated with subsequent health benefits. “It suggests,” he added.
Researchers examined data from participants at this event.
The study involved more than 5,000 adults living with type 2 diabetes between the ages of 45 and 76.
After analyzing the results of the Look AHEAD study, researchers found that not only did people who experienced remission have lower rates of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, but the magnitude of the decline in the incidence of these diseases was greater after those who experienced remission. reported that it was the largest among those who had done so. long-term remission.
Those who had been in remission for at least four years had a 55% reduction in the incidence of chronic kidney disease and a 49% reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Jonathan Shaw, deputy director of clinical and population health at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Australia, said the study results were promising but should be interpreted with caution.
“These results are very encouraging. One of the main reasons we aim to control diabetes and achieve remission in type 2 diabetes is to reduce the risk of serious complications such as: [chronic kidney disease] and [cardiovascular disease]. However, it is important to note that although this analysis is performed within a clinical trial (Look AHEAD), this is a non-randomized observational analysis rather than a trial outcome. People who can achieve remission may also be at inherently low risk of infection. [cardiovascular disease] and [chronic kidney disease]” said Shaw, who was not involved in the study. Today’s medical news.
“It is also important to remember that the main finding of the Look AHEAD trial was that intensive lifestyle interventions in people with diabetes do not prevent diabetes. [cardiovascular disease],” he added. “This new analysis suggests that there may have been a small group that actually benefited from the intervention, and that this group achieved diabetes remission.” is encouraging, but not proof.”
A person’s type 2 diabetes is considered to be in remission if their blood sugar levels are normal without taking diabetes medication for at least 3 months.
In the new study, researchers found that by age 8, 11% experienced remission after a one-year follow-up period.th Only 4% were in remission.
Experts say this highlights the challenge of maintaining weight for people with type 2 diabetes.
“To achieve and maintain remission, it is important to continue the efforts necessary to achieve remission. Often, more extreme or specialized diets are used to achieve remission of diabetes. For example, many patients do well on ketogenic diets in the short term. However, many of these more restrictive diets are not sustainable in the long term and are effective and important. It’s really important to find a diet that’s sustainable long-term. If you stop eating or gain weight back, your diabetes can come back. It’s actually a whole new approach to eating and exercise. It’s about recruiting,” said Dr. Marilyn Tan, a clinical associate professor of endocrinology at Stanford University School of Medicine in California.
“Diabetes is multifactorial. Diet, weight and lifestyle are also part of the equation,” said Tan, who was not involved in the study. Today’s medical news. “However, there are other risk factors that are not always modifiable. Despite your best efforts, diabetes may return due to factors such as genetics, other medical conditions, medications, and age.”
Of the people in the study, those who had diabetes for a short period of time, had low initial average blood sugar levels, and experienced significant weight loss were most likely to go into remission.
However, even after some period of remission, the risk of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease has still been found to be reduced.
Heart disease in the United States
The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop heart disease.
“These are two of the most important consequences of diabetes. Diabetes approximately doubles the risk of [cardiovascular disease]. “Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in almost every country,” Shaw said.
He points out that not all people with type 2 diabetes can go into remission, but the lifestyle changes needed to get there can still be beneficial.
“Achieving a goal is great, but not everyone can achieve it, especially those who have had type 2 diabetes for a long time,” says Shaw. “While the possibility of achieving remission is a great motivator for some people, the lifestyle changes required to achieve remission are too great for others.”
“Nevertheless, even if remission is not achieved or maintained, progress toward a healthy lifestyle and improved diabetes management can be beneficial,” he added.
