The diagnosis of prediabetes can be upsetting for many people. Some people even view the next diagnosis of diabetes as inevitable, but prediabetes is really a warning bell that gives patients the chance to make changes now.
The question is, which steps are going to be the most effective at improving one’s health and blood sugar levels.
A Study on Prediabetic Treatment Options
The American Journal Of Preventative Medicine recently published a study by Dr. Matthew J. O’Brien of the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. Dr. O’Brien and his co-authors studied the effects of three different treatments on 92 Latino women diagnosed with prediabetes. The women were randomly assigned one of the following treatment plans:
- 24 sessions of lifestyle intervention therapy
- 2 daily doses of 850 mg. of Metformin
- Standard medical care from their doctors
The intensive lifestyle intervention therapy consisted of 90 minute sessions, during which women learned helpful skills, such as goal-setting, self-monitoring, and stimulus control. The program also encouraged women to get at least 150 minutes per week of physical activity.
Results of the Study
As you have already guessed, those who were on the lifestyle intervention therapy lost more weight and were more likely to return to normal glucose tolerance. Fifty percent of the women receiving this treatment achieved a goal of 5% weight loss compared to just 14.8% of the women taking Metformin. Only 7.1% of those receiving standard care achieved 5% weight loss too.
Of the 33 women who first started the lifestyle intervention therapy, seven also returned to normal blood glucose tolerance levels. In comparison, only three women out of 29 in the Metformin group and two women out of 30 in the standard medical care group were able to achieve optimal blood glucose.
What Does It Mean?
While this is one small study, it does indicate some big things. The most effective treatment option for prediabetes may be behavioral therapy to alter lifestyle choices. It should also be noted that the women in this study benefited from regular sessions with community health workers to provide support and on-going encouragement to achieve goals.
[expand title=”References“]
Intensive lifestyle Intervention Yields Greater Weight Loss Than Metformin In Latinas With Prediabetes. URL Link. Accessed March 29, 2017.
PREVENT-DM Comparative Effectiveness Trial of Lifestyle Intervention and Metformin. URL Link. Accessed March 29, 2017.
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