How a Digital Health Program Makes Diabetes Remission Possible

31.2% of Indian diabetics hit remission! Digital health plan proves the power of lifestyle modifications.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) remission in Indian population is practically doable, confirmed by a latest study published in PLOS One. Intensive lifestyle intervention program through mobile app helped nearly one third of participants to accomplish diabetes remission ().

Around 72 million people in India face diabetes crisis, while genetic factors and diet choices increase the population's risk.

Individual medical support, psychological counseling, plant-based diet patterns, and physical activity training through digital health programs may help people manage the diabetes risk. Such intervention proves the potency of lifestyle changes in diabetic control.

Type 2 Diabetes - Risk Factors - Symptoms & Signs - Management - Prevention
Globalization and changing lifestyles has made diabetes very common in developing countries so much so that India is known as the Diabetes Capital of the World.

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Over 72 million Indians face high #Type2diabetes risk. 1/3 of patients under 50 got remission via #mobile_health (mHealth) and intense lifestyle changes. #Type2Diabetes #mHealth #DigitalTherapeutics

Defining Diabetic Remission Success Without Medication Use

Researchers analyzed data from 2,384 adults with T2D who enrolled in a one-year online intensive lifestyle intervention program at the Freedom from Diabetes Clinic in India between May 2021 and August 2023.

The intervention, provided by a six-member care team through a mobile application, included a personalized plant-based diet, structured physical activity, group therapy and individual psychological counseling, and medication management.

Overall, 744 participants (31.2%) achieved diabetes remission, defined as maintaining glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels below 48 mmol/mol for at least three months without glucose-lowering medications.

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Comparing Progress of Metrics: Remission vs. Non-Remission

The remission group showed significantly greater improvements than the non-remission group in following parameters:

Weight (8.5% vs. 5.2% reduction)
Body mass index (8.6% vs. 5.2% reduction)
HbA1c (15.3% vs. 12.4% reduction)
Fasting insulin (26.6% vs. 11.4% reduction)
Insulin resistance (37.3% vs. 19.7% reduction)

People under 50 years of age, with higher BMI, no prior medication use, and a shorter duration of diabetes (<6 years) were most likely to achieve remission.

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The Potential of Culturally Tailored Care for Type 2 Diabetes

The study was limited by its retrospective design and lack of a control group. Because the program required a subscription and participants who lacked follow up data were excluded from the analysis, there may have been selection biases.

However, the authors conclude that a significant proportion of individuals with T2D can achieve remission through a comprehensive, culturally adapted lifestyle program.

The authors add: “Our research demonstrates that nearly one-third of individuals with type 2 diabetes can achieve remission through a scientifically designed, culturally tailored, and structured lifestyle intervention.”

“This represents the first large-scale evidence from India highlighting the potential of intensive lifestyle modification in achieving type 2 diabetes remission.”

Reference:

Type 2 diabetes remission and its predictors in an Indian cohort: A retrospective analysis of an intensive lifestyle intervention program - (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0333114)

Source-EurekAlert! and AAAS