Evaluating the long-term effects of non-pharmacological interventions on diabetes and chronic complication outcomes in patients with high blood glucose levels.

This study evaluated the long-term effects of non-pharmacological (non-drug) interventions on diabetes and chronic complication outcomes in patients with high blood glucose (hyperglycemia) levels. The data showed that non-pharmacological interventions have a long-term effect on reducing diabetes occurrence among prediabetic patients and effectively preventing microvascular (affecting small blood vessels) complications in patients with hyperglycemia.

Prediabetes is a condition in which the blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. 70% of patients with prediabetes will eventually develop diabetes. Without effective intervention, it will be more likely to worsen and develop into diabetes. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a condition in which patients have high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). Long-term high blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels, nerves, and entire organs. This can lead to complications such as heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease, loss of sight, and nerve damage up to limb amputations.

Different non-pharmacological strategies have been reported including lifestyle change, dietary modification, physical activity, and exercise with different intensities. However, the long-term effects of non-pharmacological interventions on effectively reducing diabetes occurrence among patients with prediabetes and chronic complications events among patients with hyperglycemia are still unknown.

This study analyzed a total of 20 other studies. The number of patients ranged from 74 to 2,161. The length of intervention ranged from 2 to 15 years, and the length of the extended follow-up ranged from 0 to 14 years. Most studies considered non-pharmacological therapies as lifestyle changes (diet and physical activity). Control groups commonly included standard recommendations for patients with diabetes, medication or no treatment recommendation. 

Non-pharmacological interventions significantly reduced the risk of diabetes occurrence (by 38%) in patients with prediabetes. In studies with an extended period, the use of non-pharmacological interventions reduced the occurrence of diabetes by 22%. 

Microvascular complications of diabetes are long-term complications that affect small blood vessels. Non-pharmacological interventions effectively lowered the occurrence of microvascular complications (by 40%) compared to usual care and medical treatment in patients with hyperglycemia.

This study concluded that non-pharmacological interventions have a long-term effect on reducing diabetes occurrence among prediabetic patients and effectively preventing microvascular complications in patients with hyperglycemia.

The studies analyzed had different treatment courses, different populations of patients, and different follow-up periods.