[Is it possible to prevent type 2 diabetes?]

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Metabolism
• Preventive Medicine
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Type 2 diabetes is a growing global health concern.
• Individuals with impaired glucose tolerance are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
• Effective strategies for prevention and delay are crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent long-term studies on type 2 diabetes prevention.
• To discuss the efficacy of lifestyle interventions and pharmacological treatments.
• To explore the practical implications of these findings for high-risk populations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of four major prospective randomized long-term studies: Diabetes Prevention Study, Diabetes Prevention Program, STOP-NIDDM trial, and XENDOS Study.
• Evaluation of interventions including dietary changes, weight reduction, increased physical activity, and drug treatments (metformin, acarbose, orlistat).

Main Results:

• Consistent evidence demonstrates that lifestyle modifications can significantly delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.
• Pharmacological interventions, specifically metformin, acarbose, and orlistat, also show effectiveness in preventing or delaying disease onset.
• These interventions are particularly beneficial for individuals identified as high-risk with impaired glucose tolerance.

Conclusions:

• Preventive strategies, encompassing both lifestyle changes and specific drug therapies, are viable for high-risk individuals.
• The findings provide a strong basis for implementing public health initiatives and clinical guidelines for diabetes prevention.
• Further discussion on the practical application of these results is warranted for effective diabetes management.