The U.S. Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) recently released a groundbreaking 21-year follow-up study, showcasing the effectiveness of both lifestyle interventions and metformin in reducing the development of diabetes. The results revealed that the original intensive lifestyle intervention led to a 24% decrease in diabetes development, while metformin showed a 17% reduction.
Initially, the DPP study demonstrated significant outcomes after three years, with the intensive lifestyle intervention focusing on weight loss and increased physical activity, and metformin showcasing a 58% and 31% decrease in type 2 diabetes onset compared to a placebo, respectively. The study included adults at high risk of developing diabetes.
The long-term analysis of 3,195 DPP participants, published in Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, emphasized the sustained benefits of these interventions in preventing diabetes development. The lifestyle group extended their time without diabetes by 3.5 years, while the metformin group extended it by 2.5 years compared to the original placebo group.
Commencing in 1996, the original DPP clinical trial involved participants with an average age of 51, with 45% identifying as members of U.S. minority groups disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes. The study highlighted that the benefits of these interventions transcended racial-ethnic groups.
Despite the challenges of maintaining long-term intensive lifestyle changes and medication use, the study underscored the enduring advantages of even short-term interventions in preventing diabetes development over the 21-year period. The DPP/DPPOS site at Pennington Biomedical Research Center currently monitors 76 Baton Rouge residents who have been part of the study for up to nearly 30 years.
Dr. Owen Carmichael, the current site leader at Pennington Biomedical, praised the dedication and commitment of the study participants, acknowledging their pivotal role in advancing modern medicine. The participants’ perseverance has not only influenced medical practices in Baton Rouge but globally.
In conclusion, the study’s findings highlight the long-lasting benefits of lifestyle changes and metformin in reducing the incidence of type 2 diabetes. The research sheds light on the transformative impact of proactive interventions in mitigating the risk of diabetes over the long term.
