Prevention of type 2 diabetes: what is the right target population?

Prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is important to reduce suffering and health care costs. A precursor to T2D is impaired glucose regulation (IGR), a condition of elevated plasma glucose that is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Prevention of T2D is determined by preservation of pancreatic β cell function which can be achieved by the use of anti-hyperglycemic medications or intensive lifestyle interventions (ILIs) to modify dietary and physical activity habits that induce modest weight loss (≥5%). Both interventions have beneficial effects on normal glucose regulation (NGR), but ILI is preferred due to its safety, efficacy, and cost.

Traditional approaches to the prevention of T2D have used a variety of screening methods to identify those who are at high risk for developing T2D (prediabetes). People designated with prediabetes are then treated with ILI. An alternative approach for preventing T2D is to offer ILI to all overweight/obese adults who volunteer for weight loss treatment.

This new alternative has several potential advantages: more rapid recruitment of participants with lower burden of care and early, aggressive treatment of potential β cell dysfunction. Cost-effectiveness studies of this alternative approach are needed.