Intentional Weight Loss and Dose Reductions of Anti-Diabetic Medications – A Retrospective Cohort Study

Plosone: February 27, 2012, Anita Ashok Kumar¹, Ghanshyam Palamaner Subash Shantha¹, Scott Kahan^2,3,4, Rohit Joshua Samson⁴, Nelson David Boddu⁴, Lawrence Jay Cheskin^4,5*1 Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America, 2Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America, 3 Department of Health Policy, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Washington, D. C., United States of America, 4 Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America, 5 Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.

Background and Aim

Intentional weight loss, primarily by improving insulin resistance, is known to decrease the need for anti-diabetic medications. In this study, we assess the magnitude of weight loss that resulted in dose reductions or discontinuation of anti-diabetic medications in overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes (DM) undergoing weight loss treatment.

Methods

Case records of 50 overweight or obese patients with DM who successfully decreased dosage or discontinued diabetes medications after losing weight via attendance at two University-based, outpatient weight management centers were analyzed. Follow-up visits, weight reduction interventions, and decisions for dose reductions or discontinuation of medications were individualized to patient needs by the treating physician. Read More