The effect of a structured non-pharmacological treatment of type 2 diabetes on glycated hemoglobin and body weight: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Non-pharmacological treatments are an integral part of the treatment of all patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, due to many factors, doctors and patients themselves tend to underestimate or completely neglect such effective methods in managing the course of the disease. Despite the high level of evidence of the effectiveness of this type of treatment for T2D, every year scientists around the world continue to actively study the effect of various non-drug methods on the course of the disease.

AIM: To study the effect of a 24-week structured non-pharmacological treatment program on glycated hemoglobin reduction and weight loss in middle-aged patients with compensated T2D taking metformin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A two-group, randomized, parallel-group, blinded trial was designed. Patients with an established diagnosis of T2D in the stage of compensation (HbA_1c ≤7%), aged 45–59 years, taking metformin, were randomized to receive either standard non-pharmacological treatment of diabetes according to clinical protocol of T2D treatment in Kazakhstan, or an intensive course of non-pharmacological treatment according to a structured program developed by researchers. The duration of the intervention was 24 weeks. Primary outcomes were glycated hemoglobin, body weight. Secondary outcomes: blood pressure, waist circumference, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), lipid profile: total cholesterol, high and low density lipoproteins, triglycerides. The outcomes of the participants in both groups were assessed at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks after randomization. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04632823.

RESULTS: The study included 200 patients, 67 patients completed the study: intervention group n=33, control group n=34. After 24 weeks of observation, patients in the intervention group showed a significant decrease in HbA_1c from 6.34% to 6.22%, p<0.001, while for the control group the level of HbA_1c remained the same at 6.5% (p=0.703). Patients in both groups significantly reduced body weight, however, the decrease in the intervention group was more significant: by 6.7% of the initial level, while in the control group, only 1.1%. LDL, triglycerides, cholesterol level, HOMA-IR 2, and diastolic blood pressure did not decline significantly in the control group. All biochemical characteristics except triglycerides and LDL decreased significantly in the intervention group.

CONCLUSION: The use of a structured program of non-pharmacological treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus among compensated (HbA_1c ≤7%) middle-aged patients who took metformin significantly reduced body weight and glycated hemoglobin in 24 weeks.

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