Two-year follow up of the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT) showed 36% of patients with sustained remission of type 2 diabetes (down from 46% at one year).1,2
Patients were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within 6 years; aged 20-65 and BMI 27 to 45.
The intervention was delivered by a nurse or dietician in general practice after 8 hours of structured training. This consisted of total dietary replacement using a low energy formula diet (825-853 Kcal/day) for 3-5 months, followed by structured food reintroduction for 2-8 weeks and weight maintenance through sustained engagement.3
The intervention group had their BP and diabetes medication stopped initially and at 2 years only 40% of the intervention group required medication versus 83% in the control group.
This Gem was checked by Dr Carl Peters, Diabetologist at Waitemata DHB; one of the study investigators.
