PREDIABETES: FROM RISK TO REVERSAL—OUTCOMES AND GLYCEMIC PREDICTORS AFTER A 12-MONTH LIFESTYLE INTERVENTION
Author(s)
Buthaina AlMuhairi, MD1, Marwa Khalil, MD2.
1Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health Department, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 21-Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health Department; 2-Public Health Department, 1- Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP); 2-Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, 1-Dubai; 2-Zagazig, United Arab Emirates.
1Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health Department, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 21-Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health Department; 2-Public Health Department, 1- Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP); 2-Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, 1-Dubai; 2-Zagazig, United Arab Emirates.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the effect of lifestyle interventions on glycemic and anthropometric outcomes over 12 months, and to identify the predictors of successful glycemic reversal among individuals with prediabetes in primary care in the UAE.
METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted among adults with prediabetes attending primary healthcare clinics in Dubai, UAE (November 2024-November 2025). All participants received standardized lifestyle modification counseling (dietary, physical activity and behavioral change advice). Anthropometrics and HbA1c were assessed at 6 and 12 months. Predictors of successful glycemic reversal at the final visit were identified with a multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS: 3,818 participants were prediabetic at baseline and received lifestyle interventions. 943/3,818 had 6-month follow-up versus 370 at 12 months. At baseline, mean age was 44.4±13.0 years, 513 (54.4%) were female, 433 (45.9%) had a family history of diabetes, and 521 (44.7%) were obese. At 6 months, 241 (25.6%) participants became normoglycemic, 690 (73.2%) remained prediabetic, and 12 (1.3%) progressed to diabetes. At 12 months, 90 (24.3%) participants became normoglycemic, 274 (74.1%) remained prediabetic, and 6 (1.6%) progressed to diabetes. Lifestyle interventions resulted in statistically significant reductions in BMI (mean 0.5-0.7 kg/m2) and percent drop in HbA1c (0.6-1%) across follow-up intervals. Successful glycemic reversal at the final visit was significantly associated with younger age (OR=0.968; 95%CI: 0.957-0.979), female gender (OR=1.953; 95%CI: 1.481-2.571), and lower baseline HbA1c levels (OR=0.014; 95%CI: 0.005-0.036).
CONCLUSIONS: Significant weight loss and reversing prediabetes to normoglycemia were achieved with standardized lifestyle interventions in primary care in only ~25% of patients within a year. Glycemic reversal was least likely achieved in high-risk profiles, including older age, males, and those presenting with high baseline HbA1c. These findings highlight the need for early identification of prediabetes and individualized lifestyle and, where needed, pharmacological interventions to prevent progression to diabetes.
METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted among adults with prediabetes attending primary healthcare clinics in Dubai, UAE (November 2024-November 2025). All participants received standardized lifestyle modification counseling (dietary, physical activity and behavioral change advice). Anthropometrics and HbA1c were assessed at 6 and 12 months. Predictors of successful glycemic reversal at the final visit were identified with a multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS: 3,818 participants were prediabetic at baseline and received lifestyle interventions. 943/3,818 had 6-month follow-up versus 370 at 12 months. At baseline, mean age was 44.4±13.0 years, 513 (54.4%) were female, 433 (45.9%) had a family history of diabetes, and 521 (44.7%) were obese. At 6 months, 241 (25.6%) participants became normoglycemic, 690 (73.2%) remained prediabetic, and 12 (1.3%) progressed to diabetes. At 12 months, 90 (24.3%) participants became normoglycemic, 274 (74.1%) remained prediabetic, and 6 (1.6%) progressed to diabetes. Lifestyle interventions resulted in statistically significant reductions in BMI (mean 0.5-0.7 kg/m2) and percent drop in HbA1c (0.6-1%) across follow-up intervals. Successful glycemic reversal at the final visit was significantly associated with younger age (OR=0.968; 95%CI: 0.957-0.979), female gender (OR=1.953; 95%CI: 1.481-2.571), and lower baseline HbA1c levels (OR=0.014; 95%CI: 0.005-0.036).
CONCLUSIONS: Significant weight loss and reversing prediabetes to normoglycemia were achieved with standardized lifestyle interventions in primary care in only ~25% of patients within a year. Glycemic reversal was least likely achieved in high-risk profiles, including older age, males, and those presenting with high baseline HbA1c. These findings highlight the need for early identification of prediabetes and individualized lifestyle and, where needed, pharmacological interventions to prevent progression to diabetes.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EPH115
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Methodological & Statistical Research, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity)