A novel approach that involves sensors, artificial intelligence, and real-time individualized lifestyle guidance from an app and live coaches led to a high rate of remission of type 2 diabetes in a new study.
Specifically, among 199 patients with type 2 diabetes in India who received the app-delivered lifestyle guidance developed by Twin Health, Mountain View, Calif., mean hemoglobin A1c dropped from 9.0% to 5.7% at 6 months.
Dr. Paramesh Shamanna
This is “huge,” Paramesh Shamanna, MD, told a press briefing at the annual scientific sessions of the American Diabetes Association. The research was presented as three posters by the group at the meeting.
Patients were a mean age of 43 and had diabetes for a mean of 3.7 years and up to 8 years.
An “unprecedented” 84% of patients had remission of diabetes at 6 months, Dr. Shamanna, medical director at Twin Health, noted.
Diabetes remission was defined according to the 2021 joint consensus statement from the ADA and other organizations as an A1c less than 6.5% without the use of diabetes medications for at least 3 months.
Importantly, patients’ time in range (percentage of time spent in target blood glucose range) increased from 53% to 81%, Dr. Shamanna pointed out. On average, patients’ waist circumference decreased by 10 cm (3.9 inches) and their weight dropped from 79 kg (approximately 174 lb) to 68 kg (150 lb).
These results are driven by “the continuous individualized and precise guidance regarding nutrition, activity, and sleep,” Dr. Shamanna said in an interview.
Remission is not reversal or cure ...
“Remission” from type 2 diabetes is not “reversal” or a “cure,” Robert A. Gabbay, MD, PhD, chief scientific and medical officer of the ADA, stressed to the press. Just like cancer, diabetes can return after remission
Dr. Robert A. Gabbay
Therefore, it is important to follow the lifestyle guidance. Patients may still be at risk for diabetes complications after diabetes remission, so it’s also important to continue to be screened for eye disease, nerve damage, and lipid levels.
However, “remission can be made to last,” Dr. Shamanna said, by continuing to follow the lifestyle advice and getting back on track after a relapse.
“We’re in a different time right now,” Lisa Shah, MD, chief medical officer, Twin Health, noted. “This is very different from management of blood glucose to a certain number.”
This study shows that “remission [from type 2 diabetes] is possible. How you achieve it can be precise for you.”
The program is designed to consider the health and happiness of the patient, added Shashank R. Joshi, MD, chief scientist, Twin Health. “We want remission to be complication free. These findings give patients hope.”
“It’s exciting now that we can really start thinking about remission as an option for people with [type 2] diabetes, and that just provides such incredible hope for all of those living with [type 2] diabetes,” Dr. Gabbay said in an interview.