Early type 2 diabetes risk skyrockets with low birthweight and overweight at age 20

From news-medical.net

New research being presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Venice, Italy (12-15 May), and published in Diabetologia (the journal of the European Association for The Study of Diabetes [EASD]) suggests that having a low birthweight together with being overweight in young adulthood (but not childhood) contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes at an early age (59 years or younger) in men.

Notably, the study involving over 34,000 Swedish men, found that those born with a low birthweight (<2.5 kg/5 lbs 8oz) who were also overweight at aged 20 years (BMI >25kg/m²) were 10 times more likely to develop early type 2 diabetes than those with a birthweight in the normal range (2.5-4.5 kg) who were normal weight as young adults (BMI <25 kg/m²).

Importantly, the researchers from the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital also found that babies with a low birthweight who were overweight at age 20 years had a 27% absolute risk of developing early type 2 diabetes, compared with an absolute risk of 6% for those with a birthweight in the normal range who were also normal weight at aged 20 years. This suggests that preventing excess weight gain during young adulthood in boys born with low birthweight could reduce the absolute risk of early type 2 diabetes by 21%.

Type 2 diabetes is being diagnosed at progressively younger ages, suggesting that significant risk may begin to accumulate during the developmental period. The association between low birthweight and overweight in childhood and/or young adulthood and type 2 diabetes in adults is already known, but it has been unclear how much influence the combination of these two factors exerts.

To find out more, researchers analysed data from 34,231 men born between 1945 and 1961 involved in the BMI Epidemiology Study (BEST) Gothenburg-;a population-based cohort examining the associations between growth and BMI development in early life and the risk of disease in later life.

The researchers analysed birthweight and BMI of participants from school health care records (at the age of 8 years) and from medical examinations on enrolment in the military (at age 20), which was mandatory until 2010.

Participants were followed from 30 years of age until type 2 diabetes diagnosis, death, or emigration, or until 31st December 2019. Information on type 2 diabetes diagnoses was retrieved from Swedish national registers to estimate the risk of early (<59.4 years) and late (>59.4 years) type 2 diabetes. They also examined whether these associations were independent of, or modified by, socioeconomic factors such as level of education.

During an average 34 years follow up (after 30 years of age), a total of 2,733 cases of type 2 diabetes were diagnosed (1,367 cases of early diabetes and 1,366 cases of late diabetes). The analyses found that birthweight below the average (median; <3.6 kg/7lbs 9oz) and overweight at age 20 years (BMI >25 kg/m²), but not overweight at age 8 years (BMI >17.9 kg/m²), were associated with an increased risk of both early and late type 2 diabetes.

Furthermore, low birthweight and overweight in young adulthood were found to have an additive effect on the risk of type 2 diabetes. For example, having a below average birthweight (<3.6 kg/7lbs 9oz), followed by overweight at 20 years of age was associated with a six times greater risk of developing early type 2 diabetes. Whereas a lower birthweight (<2.5 kg/5 lbs 8oz) combined with later overweight at 20 years was linked with a 10 fold greater risk of developing early type 2 diabetes.

Adjusting for education, a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes, did little to change the results.

Our findings establish low birthweight and overweight in young adulthood as the main developmental determinants, whereas overweight in childhood is of lesser importance for type 2 diabetes in adult men. The combination of low birthweight followed by overweight at age 20 years is associated with a massive excess risk for early type 2 diabetes, which is substantially higher than the risk associated with low birthweight or being overweight as a young adult separately."

Dr Jimmy Celind, lead author, researcher at Sahlgrenska Academy's Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg

Co-author Dr Jenny Kindblom from Sahlgrenska University Hospital adds, "It's possible that the metabolic consequences of foetal growth restriction, which promotes resilience against starvation through fat storage and insulin resistance, when combined with a detrimental BMI trajectory during puberty when the insulin resistance is at a lifetime peak due to the surge of growth and sex hormones, result in an additive excess risk for later type 2 diabetes. Public health initiatives should target boys born with low birthweight to work on prevention of overweight as young adults, to reduce this huge excess risk for early type 2 diabetes."

The authors acknowledge that the findings are associations only and that the study wasn't designed to measure direct cause and effect, and point to several limitations, including that the participants were mainly white men which may limit the generalisability of the findings to other ethnicities and women. In addition, the analyses were unable to account for the influence of other known risk factors for type 2 diabetes such as smoking, dietary habits, and physical activity which could have influenced the results.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240304/Early-type-2-diabetes-risk-skyrockets-with-low-birthweight-and-overweight-at-age-20.aspx

Does yogurt reduce risk of type 2 diabetes? The FDA says it might

From nbcnews.com/health

Food makers can safely advertise that eating yogurt may reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, the FDA announced on Friday — with some caveats

Food makers can advertise that regularly eating yogurt may reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes without objection from the Food and Drug Administration, the agency announced on Friday.

The decision came in response to a petition that Danone North America — the food giant behind major brands including Dannon, Activia, Wallaby Organic and Silk — submitted in 2018. The company sought FDA acknowledgement that it would not object if Danone marketed yogurt as able to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. 

The FDA confirmed on Friday that it will not oppose the claim, with some caveats. Any language to consumers must note that the evidence is limited and that eating two cups (three servings) of yogurt per week is the threshold for reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes, it said.

Danone submitted its petition as part of a standard process for what the FDA calls “qualified health claims.” Such claims do not require the agency's approval, but companies petition the FDA to define the specific language they can safely use without the agency coming after them for making false claims.

Danone’s petition cited the nutrient profile of proteins, vitamins and low sodium in yogurt, alongside studies supporting the link between regular yogurt consumption and a reduced risk of diabetes and related conditions.

“The petition also noted that the evidence supports the health effects of yogurt as a food rather than related to any single nutrient or compound and thus is independent of fat or sugar content,” the FDA said in its announcement. 

There is limited evidence to suggest that eating yogurt regularly, at least 2 cups per week, may reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.                               Kara Haupt / NBC News

Sugar and fat levels in yogurt vary widely, of course. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that although some low-fat or unsweetened yogurts are low in calories and a healthy source of protein, vitamin D and calcium, flavoured yogurts are often high in added sugars and should be limited. Research has long demonstrated a link between high consumption of added sugars and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. 

Some of the evidence supporting yogurt’s health benefits comes from a 2022 study, which found that eating fermented dairy products, especially yogurt, “may offer protection against the development” of Type 2 diabetes.

Yogurt is also part of the Mediterranean diet, alongside other staples such as fresh produce, whole grains, olive oil and fish. A 2020 study found that adhering to the diet significantly reduced the risk of Type 2 diabetes. However, a 2016 study did not find any link between dairy consumption and the disease.

Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, who provided scientific feedback to Danone when the company drafted its petition, said the FDA’s decision is sensible, “given the growing evidence for health benefits of fermented yogurt in particular.”

But Mozaffarian, director of The Food as Medicine Institute at Tufts University, emphasized that food can’t be marketed as preventing or curing a disease outright — because then it would be considered a drug.

“I think that’s actually a significant problem both for the food industry and the FDA because now that we’re learning that food actually is medicine, and food can, in some cases, treat or cure disease, there’s no regulatory pathway to get there,” he said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/yogurt-reduce-risk-diabetes-fda-rcna141402

8 tasty and filling low-carb meals

From restless.co.uk

Carbohydrates like bread, pasta, potatoes, and rice, form a staple part of our diet. But if you’re looking to cut down your carb intake, you’re not alone. Reducing the amount of carbs you eat is a popular way to encourage a healthy lifestyle and can also be effective in managing conditions like type 2 diabetes. 

More than 415 million people worldwide have diabetes and research suggests that maintaining low blood sugar levels by eating a low-carb diet can significantly reduce the likelihood of complications. 

However, it’s important to note that a low-carb diet shouldn’t mean no carbs at all. Some carbs contain key vitamins, minerals, and fibre, which are an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet.

So, whether you’re hoping to lose a little weight or manage diabetes and better protect your health, here are eight low-carb recipes that are absolutely delicious.

1. Taco lettuce wraps

Mexican food is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and dishes like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas are especially delicious.

However, due to the tortillas, these dishes all tend to be pretty high-calorie. So if you’re in the mood for some Mexican but would like to make a lighter, lower-carb version, why not forgo the taco shells and make some lettuce wraps instead?

Large, sturdy lettuce is best to use here – either Iceberg or Romaine lettuce. The outer leaves work well, as they’re crispy, pliable, and big enough to make good-sized taco wraps!

Inside your lettuce cups, you can use any of your favourite taco fillings. You may want to try this beef taco lettuce wrap recipe by Home Cooking Memories, this chicken taco lettuce wrap by Gimme Delicious, or this ground turkey taco lettuce wrap by Skinny Taste. Alternatively, check out Pinch of Yum’s spicy vegan lettuce taco wrap.

If taco lettuce wraps don’t appeal to you, you’ll find plenty more ideas in our article; 8 mouthwatering Mexican meals to cook at home. With a few simple swaps, these recipes can easily be made low-carb too.

2. Aubergine lasagne

Lasagne is one of the most popular comfort meals, but as it contains pasta sheets, it can be fairly high in both carbs and calories. However, if you love tucking into a tasty lasagne, there’s good news: with one simple swap, this recipe can be made low-carb!

Whether you like making a classic beef lasagne or a veggie version, swapping the lasagne sheets for slices of aubergine can turn this meal into a lower-carb, gluten-free alternative.

Cut your aubergine into thin slices, sprinkle with salt to draw out the moisture and any bitter flavours, leave for 10 minutes, then pat dry. Next, drizzle with olive oil and roast or griddle until soft – then simply layer them as you would regular lasagne sheets.

For more detailed instructions on how to make low-carb aubergine lasagne, have a read of this recipe by Tasty.

3. Thai curry with quinoa

Fragrant, warming, and delicious, Thai curry is seriously comforting and satisfying. Because it’s packed with fresh veggies, as well as lots of herbs and spices like garlic, ginger, chilli, and lemongrass, it’s great for boosting your immune system too. But, because it’s often served with large portions of white rice, Thai curry can be surprisingly high in carbs.

So, why not swap your rice for quinoa? While quinoa isn’t significantly lower in carbs than white rice (quinoa has 39g per cup compared to rice’s 44g), the quality of the carb is far superior.

Quinoa is a low glycaemic index (GI) food, which means it helps maintain steady blood sugar levels. White rice is high-GI, which means it can raise blood glucose levels and increase the risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Plus, quinoa is a complete protein, high in fibre, and rich in potassium and magnesium.

It’s also worth noting that Thai green curry uses coconut milk – and although this can offer a healthy dose of good fats, it’s known for being calorific. So, if you’re looking to cut calories, you might want to use a light or reduced-fat version instead.

You can choose to make your own Thai spice paste, but if you’re looking for a quick dinner, simply use a shop-bought curry paste. Thai green curry is spicier than red curry, but both are delicious! For extra protein, you can add chicken, fish, or tofu.

For more detailed recipe instructions, check out this Thai vegetable curry with quinoa recipe from Sainsbury’s.

4. Sausage and vegetable tray bake

A sausage and vegetable tray bake is a great dish to make when you fancy something delicious and hearty but don’t want to spend hours slaving over the stove.

Aside from chopping the vegetables, there’s hardly any prep involved – and to make things even easier, you can always buy pre-prepared vegetables from the supermarket. Plus, because everything is cooked in one dish, there’s very little washing up!

Sausage and vegetable tray bakes are versatile dishes which can be adapted seasonally. While a lot of recipes include potatoes, to make it lower in carbs you can swap these out for other veggies like peppers, onions, carrots, courgette, butternut squash, and tomatoes.

This sausage and Mediterranean vegetable tray bake recipe from Asda is a great choice for the warmer months, as is this Italian sausage and pesto tray bake recipe from Olive Magazine. You can also swap traditional pork sausages for chicken, turkey, or veggie versions for lower-fat alternatives. For a plant-based sausage tray bake recipe, try this one from Healthy Living James.

5. Egg-fried cauliflower rice

Egg-fried rice is cheap, quick, and delicious – and for many of us, it’s a go-to meal when we haven’t got much food in the house (or we’re not in the mood to cook anything fancy).

Classic egg-fried rice contains rice, eggs, spring onions, cooking oil, and soy sauce (although the beauty of this dish is that you can throw in any ingredients you have). But, swapping the rice for cauliflower rice doesn’t just make this dish low-carb – it also gives you an extra dose of veg.

Cauliflower rice is made by either blitzing chunks of raw cauliflower in a food processor or grating it. Aside from being super healthy, cauliflower adds a lovely nutty flavour to the dish.

Egg-fried cauliflower is a deceptively simple dish – although, like classic egg-fried rice, it benefits from generous amounts of hot sauce drizzled on top! You can follow this recipe from Once Upon A Chef.

Alternatively, for more ways to cook with this versatile vegetable, you might like to check out our article; The health benefits of cauliflower and how to cook low-carb meals with it.

6. Courgetti bolognese

If you’re a fan of spaghetti, why not try the popular low-carb alternative, courgetti – spaghetti made from spiralized courgettes?

Replacing standard spaghetti with vegetable versions, or having half of each, has become increasingly popular and, aside from reducing carbs, it’s a great way to get your five-a-day.

Butternut squash spaghetti works just as well as courgette, but courgetti is quicker to cook and its soft texture makes it easier to spiralize.

You can buy spiralizers online, but if you don’t fancy purchasing more kitchen equipment, you can also use a julienne peeler lengthways on the courgette. The shape won’t be exactly the same, but the texture will.

To find out more about making courgetti, have a read of this guide by BBC Good Food. And to learn how to make a low-carb, low-calorie courgetti bolognese using turkey mince, check out this recipe from Sainsbury’s.

7. Frittata

A frittata is an Italian-inspired egg dish that’s high in protein and low in carbs. Essentially a crustless quiche, frittatas are really versatile and a great way to use leftover ingredients.

Plus, because they’re quick to cook and usually filling, frittatas are a good choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. And, even better, they only use one pan to cook, so you don’t have to worry about much washing up!

What makes frittatas different from other egg dishes is that they’re cooked in a pan on the stove until the edges firm up, before being finished off in the oven – so make sure you cook your frittata in an oven-safe pan.

When it comes to choosing additional ingredients you can add whatever you fancy, but onions, spinach, mushrooms, cheese, and tomatoes are popular choices. You might like to try this spinach frittata from the Diet Doctor or this pea, feta, and summer herb frittata from BBC Good Food.

To find out more about making the perfect frittata, have a read of this article by VeryWell Fit.

8. Naked burger

Most of us enjoy a juicy burger now and then, whether it’s beef, chicken, or veggie – and switching out the bun is a simple way to make it lower carb. If you think the idea of a burger without a bun sounds a bit sad, you probably haven’t tried the right recipe!

One option is to sub the bread for a mushroom ‘bun’, like this smoky beef burger on a mushroom bun from My Foodbook or these veggie cashew cheeseburgers in a portobello bun from This Rawsome Vegan Life.

Alternatively, just skip the idea of a bun altogether and focus on your toppings. If you want to go all out, why not build a burger topped with bacon, avocado, cheese, and a fried egg, like this one from Nyssa’s Kitchen?

Or, to keep things lower-calorie, you could make this naked salmon burger with sriracha mayo from SkinnyTaste. If you’d like to keep things plant-based, why not try this bunless black bean burger from Archana’s Kitchen?

Final thoughts…

There are many reasons why cutting back on carbs can be good for us, but that doesn’t mean your diet shouldn’t also be delicious, diverse, and satisfying. The popularity of low-carb diets like the keto diet also means that there’s no shortage of delicious and innovative low-carb recipes to try!

If you’re looking for a sustainable diet to try that can support health and weight loss, you might find one that suits you in our article, 10 popular diets to try. And for more ideas of nutritious and tasty meals to make, there are plenty of recipes ideas in the food and drink section of our website.

https://restless.co.uk/leisure-and-lifestyle/food-drink/recipes/tasty-and-filling-low-carb-meals/?utm_campaign=24-02-29&utm_source=midweek-email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=midweek-email-general-24-02-29&bsft_clkid=d7bf7595-a62d-41be-bd1c-5cb7f88cab50&bsft_uid=7e4bbf6c-1c5d-4033-98b6-b63187fc0584&bsft_mid=eaf76447-f05f-4fbd-b570-fd284f9c3667&bsft_eid=8ca8591f-4181-4b02-9aae-0486cfb4caca&bsft_txnid=4f3deaeb-c361-4fd2-9f25-095945db81ee&bsft_mime_type=html&bsft_ek=2024-02-29T06%3A30%3A30Z&bsft_aaid=3fb5a0c8-1d80-4f30-8749-7b9799f02c6c&bsft_lx=5&bsft_tv=24

How Does Diabetes Affect Menopause?

From diatribe.org

Dawn Adams, a midwife and diabetes researcher, shares her experience going through menopause with type 1 diabetes – plus tips for managing both.

Menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, assisted reproduction, and loss of pregnancy – these are life events experienced by many women with diabetes. Each one impacts glucose variability, but many of these areas are under-researched and under-reported, meaning substantial evidence is lacking to support these women. 

Having experienced the glucose rollercoaster with menstruation, four pregnancies, breastfeeding, and type 1 diabetes, I’m now at the stage where menopause has become a topic close to my heart. 

Over the past year, my conversations with other women with diabetes have shown a willingness to learn more about our collective perimenopause and menopause experiences. Online surveys, Tweetchats, WhatsApp groups, and menopause education have highlighted the moderate to severe impact of perimenopause (the transition to menopause) on the lives of women. 

With the advent of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, and artificial pancreas systems, we can see such variabilities in our graphs and time in range data – something that would have been unimaginable 20 years ago. 

Recurrent themes from the community include a lack of awareness and support from healthcare professionals regarding menopause and diabetes. Women have described feeling like they are “hitting a blank wall” when asking for guidance from healthcare providers to manage the effects of perimenopause on their glucose levels and insulin requirements. A common comment is, “I wish I had known more about the symptoms of perimenopause earlier.” 

Menopause is defined as starting 12 months after the last menstrual period and can last for 10 years or more. Perimenopause starts 6-15 years earlier, meaning that in the U.K., where I live, roughly 13 million women are dealing with some sort of menopause. And a proportion of those women have diabetes.

What happens during perimenopause?

During perimenopause, menstrual patterns change. Periods may become lighter or heavier, or more irregular than usual. 

The associated blood sugar fluctuations can also become increasingly challenging. The gradual decrease in oestrogen during perimenopause can increase insulin resistance which, for people living with type 1 diabetes, means that blood glucose levels and insulin needs may become increasingly unpredictable. 

This may also be the case if the womb or ovaries are removed for any reason. Oestrogen and progesterone are two key hormones affecting perimenopause. Oestrogen has a glucose-lowering effect, while progesterone has a glucose-raising effect. While research is ongoing in this area, some strategies may help minimize the impact of perimenopause on glycaemic variability (more on that later).

What do menopause symptoms look like for women with diabetes?

Although not all women have the same experiences of menopause, many have said that it negatively affects their physical and emotional health. Perimenopause and menopause share many of the same symptoms including: 

• Hot flashes and night sweats

• Anxiety and depression

• Mood swings

• Disrupted sleep

• Irritability

• Weight gain

• Dry skin or rashes

• Reduced concentration

• Loss of confidence

• Sexual dysfunction  

Menopause is also associated with metabolic dysfunction leading to weight gain, impaired insulin sensitivity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. 

It can be confusing as women with diabetes transition to menopause as some of these symptoms aren’t that different from those of hypoglycaemia; many find it hard to differentiate between the two.

It varies for each person, but many women find that menopause is an emotional rollercoaster. The symptoms can be mistaken for depression, so keeping a record of all symptoms experienced may help make appointments with a healthcare provider more productive, particularly if you are struggling emotionally. 

Can hormone replacement therapy help?

There is little information for women and healthcare providers for this stage of life. Currently, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) offers no recommendations for women with type 1 diabetes, only advising that women with type 2 diabetes have specialist guidance if hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is deemed necessary. 

There is conflicting advice about HRT treatments for women with diabetes. One woman I spoke to said that her healthcare provider knew nothing about HRT and diabetes. There is also a commonly held belief that HRT isn’t an option for women with diabetes. 

The tragedy of this is that many women experiencing menopause have avoided any treatment, despite feeling that life is bleak due to hormone depletion. As women with diabetes, we know how difficult life is when essential hormones are absent or not functioning as well as they should. 

Since the day we were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, we have taken insulin; that was our first encounter with replacing a hormone. For some of us, thyroid insufficiency also means that thyroid hormone medication is necessary to keep us functioning. For those diagnosed with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (which prevents food from being digested properly), pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is prescribed.

All of this suggests that HRT may help with managing menopausal symptoms in women with diabetes. However, this should be carefully considered with a healthcare provider as the potential risks and benefits need to be evaluated on an individual basis.

Tips for managing menopause with diabetes

Despite the lack of guidance in this arena, there are some treatments and strategies women with diabetes can employ that may help manage symptoms of menopause:

• Frequently monitor blood glucose levels. This may help with identifying patterns and adjusting your diabetes management plan if needed. CGMs have real-time glucose readings and alerts that detect and help you respond to glucose fluctuations more effectively.

• Collaborate with your healthcare team. Work with your endocrinologist and a diabetes educator (if you have access to one) to develop a specialized plan for managing your diabetes during menopause. 

• Adjust your insulin. Hormonal fluctuations may require adjustments to insulin dosages or changes in the timing of insulin administration. Again, work with your healthcare provider who can help establish the right insulin regimen for you.

• Eat a nutritious diet. Increasing your intake of fruit, vegetables, and whole grain cereals (while reducing consumption of processed foods and alcohol) may reduce menopause symptoms and fluctuations in blood sugar. There isn’t one recommended diet for diabetes and menopause, but incorporating foods rich in vitamins like folate will be beneficial.

• Take supplements. Magnesium and vitamin D support bone health and improve sleep quality. While it’s always best to get vitamins from food, supplements may also work for alleviating some symptoms as an alternative to HRT. Note that there are some supplements people with diabetes should avoid.

• Get exercise. Increasing physical activity, such as taking a walk after a meal, can improve insulin activity and carb absorption. Weight-bearing activities, such as dancing or low-impact aerobics, are known to be good for bone health. Find exercises that you enjoy, and if you can, invite family, friends, or other women experiencing menopause – it may improve mental health. Exercise also helps with balancing stress hormones and improving sleep, which can positively affect glucose levels.

• Stay educated and informed. Keep updated with the latest research and information about menopause and diabetes management. Attend educational programs, workshops, or support groups to stay informed and learn from others' experiences. There are many free events and informative podcasts available across social media channels and in real-life settings.

The bottom line

Going through menopause with diabetes can be challenging. Everybody experiences this phase of life differently, and there is no single guaranteed treatment effective for all women.

For some, connecting with others via online communities and forums is helpful. Plenty of support groups exist on all social media platforms. If you prefer real-life meet-ups, look for menopause support groups in your local community (in the U.K. we even have menopause cafes). If a support group doesn’t yet exist in your area, consider starting one – it might just be the single most useful therapy you encounter. 

https://diatribe.org/how-does-diabetes-affect-menopause 

For Type II diabetes prevention, tap into AI

From eurekalert.org

A model uses artificial intelligence to create better outcomes and save costs for prediabetic patients

Peer-Reviewed Publication

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

 Better prevention of Type II diabetes could save both lives and money. The U.S. spends over $730 billion a year — nearly a third of all health care spending — on treating preventable diseases like diabetes.

For the 98 million adults who are prediabetic and at risk of developing Type II diabetes, preventive treatments such as the drug metformin can help stave off the disease. But the medicines are expensive. With limited budgets, insurers and health care facilities need to allocate them to the patients they can help the most.

Currently, a health provider calculates a patient’s risk of developing diabetes, using a simple charting tool. Patients whose risk scores exceed a predetermined threshold get enrolled in preventive care.

Now, a new study from Texas McCombs has developed a novel tool for identifying those patients, based on artificial intelligence.

Maytal Saar-Tsechansky, a professor of information, risk, and operations management, developed an AI- and machine learning-driven model to predict which patients are most likely to benefit from preventive treatment.

“Escalating health care costs necessitate more efficient and cost-effective approaches to disease prevention, particularly preventable diseases such as Type II diabetes,” Saar-Tsechansky says.

One hurdle for allocation models is that they’re often based on crude estimates of how a patient will benefit, she says. With Mathias Kraus of Friedrich-Alexander-Universität and Stefan Feuerriegel of the Munich School of Management, she leveraged a rich source of data to produce better assessments: electronic health records on 89,191 prediabetic patients from 2003 to 2012.

The records came from a health insurer that wanted to improve care for patients at risk of developing Type II diabetes.

When the researchers applied their decision model to the insurer’s data — including body measurements, lab tests, disease codes, drug prescriptions, and sociodemographic information — it improved both health and economic efficiency.

• It prevented 25% more cases of Type II diabetes from developing than the use of traditional diabetes risk scores did.
• It saved $2.9 million more per 10,000 patients than savings garnered through the traditional clinical baseline method.
• If applied to the entire U.S. population, the model could save $1.1 billion annually in health care costs.

“By enabling data-driven and cost-effective allocation of resources, this approach is instrumental in making preventive care more impactful,” Saar-Tsechansky says.

The data-drive decision model could help prevent other conditions, she adds, such as respiratory diseases and cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. It could improve patient outcomes for both, reducing long-term costs for the U.S. health care system.

Using quality data, such as accurate electronic medical health records, could lead to another benefit: more customized approaches to health care.

“For patients, especially those at risk for diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, our model means a more personalized and effective approach to preventive care,” Saar-Tsechansky says.

“It suggests future preventive care could be more tailored to individual risk factors, increasing the effectiveness of interventions and potentially reducing the likelihood of disease onset.”

“Data-Driven Allocation of Preventive Care with Application to Diabetes Mellitus Type II” is published in Manufacturing & Services Operation Management.

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1035971