Researchers at UVA Health suggest new, patient-friendly options for managing type 2 diabetes, including continuous glucose monitors and the GEM lifestyle program, potentially enhancing long-term health outcomes.
Nearly 40% of patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes stop taking their prescribed medication within the first year, putting their health at significant risk, according to diabetes experts at UVA Health. In an effort to address this alarming trend, a new paper from UVA Health specialists highlights a growing array of treatment options designed to be more sustainable and patient-friendly.
Instead of relying solely on traditional medications such as Metformin, the paper encourages doctors to consider a broader spectrum of treatments, including innovative programs like the Glucose Everyday Matters (GEM) lifestyle intervention.
The GEM program, which emphasizes informed food choices and well-timed exercise, was developed by Dr. Daniel J. Cox, a UVA diabetes expert who has successfully used it to keep his own diabetes in remission for 15 years.
“Prescribing a medication or making lifestyle recommendations that a patient is not willing or able to follow for any reason is not likely to lead to improvements in diabetes outcomes,” the authors note in their paper. “The best treatment is one that is easy to implement and sustainable for the patient.”
Cox, one of the paper’s authors and part of UVA’s Center for Diabetes Technology, stresses the importance of a collaborative doctor-patient relationship.
“Patients and significant others being personally engaged in whatever approach taken is critical,” Cox said in a news release. “Nothing works if it is not followed consistently, while most approaches will have some benefits if followed consistently for the duration of diabetes – a lifetime.”
The article recommends considering continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for patients as an effective alternative to traditional medication. CGMs are wearable devices that provide real-time blood sugar levels via a smartphone app. Recent advancements have made these devices more affordable and accessible, even for patients without insurance coverage.
Furthermore, the authors point out the increasing popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic, which not only help control blood sugar but also offer weight-loss benefits. For many patients, losing weight helps in better managing their diabetes.
The GEM program, in particular, stands out for its holistic approach. It includes comprehensive guidelines on reducing or replacing high-sugar and high-carb foods while highlighting the benefits of physical activity.
“Not only does GEM help control one’s diabetes, but it is a lifestyle that promotes general health and vigor, while reducing risks of a variety of other chronic diseases,” Cox added.
Cox is currently leading a large clinical trial, funded by a $3.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, to further test the GEM program’s efficacy in individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the past two years.
The paper, published in the Family Medicine and Community Health medical journal, is open access (free to read). The authors — Tamara K. Oser, Catherine Varney, Anthony L. McCall and Daniel J. Cox — hope that broader dissemination will encourage health care providers to adopt more personalized and patient-friendly diabetes management strategies.
Source: University of Virginia Health System