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Prevention of type 2 diabetes
Samy I McFarlane1, John J Shin, Tanja Rundek
1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, SUNY-Downstate Health Science Center at Brooklyn/Kings County Hospital Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Box 50, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA. smcfarlane@downstate.edu
Current Diabetes Reports
|May 24, 2003
Summary
Preventing diabetes is crucial due to its epidemic rise and severe complications like cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle changes and medications like metformin show promise in preventing type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is a growing global health crisis.
- Cardiovascular disease is the primary cause of death and disability in diabetic patients.
- Effective control of cardiovascular risk factors remains a challenge for many patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of diabetes prevention strategies.
- To review current and emerging interventions for curbing the rising prevalence of diabetes.
- To emphasize the potential of combining various approaches for successful diabetes prevention.
Main Methods:
- Review of randomized prospective trials on diabetes prevention.
- Examination of interventions including lifestyle modifications, metformin, and acarbose.
- Discussion of ongoing large prospective studies evaluating other interventions.
Main Results:
- Lifestyle modifications, metformin, and acarbose have demonstrated efficacy in preventing diabetes in high-risk populations through randomized trials.
- Several other interventions are under investigation in extensive prospective studies.
- A combination of interventions is likely to be key to achieving widespread diabetes prevention.
Conclusions:
- Given the scale of the diabetes epidemic and its complications, prevention is a critical public health goal.
- Evidence supports the use of lifestyle changes and specific medications for preventing type 2 diabetes.
- Future research and combined therapeutic strategies hold significant promise for making diabetes prevention a reality.