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Impact of bodyweight loss on type 2 diabetes remission: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of randomised controlled trials

Sarah Kanbour, R. Ageeb, R. Malik, L. Abu-Raddad

The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, 2025

38 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Bodyweight loss is associated with type 2 diabetes remission; however, the quantitative relationship between the degree of bodyweight loss and the likelihood of remission, after controlling for confounding factors, remains unknown. We aimed to analyse the relationship between the degree of bodyweight loss and diabetes remission after controlling for various confounding factors, and to provide estimates for the effect sizes of these factors on diabetes remission.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-regression analysis followed Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines to systematically review, synthesise, and report global evidence from randomised controlled trials done in individuals with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity. The outcome was the proportion of participants with complete diabetes remission (HbA1c <6·0% [42 mmol/mol] or fasting plasma glucose [FPG] <100 mg/dL [5·6 mmol/L], or both, with no use of glucose-lowering drugs) or partial diabetes remission (HbA1c <6·5% [48 mmol/mol] or FPG <126 mg/dL [7·0 mmol/L], or both, with no use of glucose-lowering drugs) at least 1 year after a bodyweight loss intervention. We searched PubMed, Embase, and trial registries from database inception up to July 30, 2024. Data were extracted from published reports. Meta-analyses and meta-regressions were performed to analyse the data. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024497878).

FINDINGS

We identified 22 relevant publications, encompassing 29 outcome…

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