Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus non-surgical remission: A possible mission

BACKGROUND: Remission of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has been observed throughout the last few years, yet factors associated with remission through non-surgical approaches are still unclear. So, the factors associated with type 2 DM remission were investigated. METHODS: Out 670 patients, 63 patients gained non-surgical remission of type 2 DM (defined according to ADA criteria), and 396 patients served as control matched for age, sex, and BMI. The records of patients who attended Alexandria University Students Hospital between the years 2015 and 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. The collected data at first visit and 1 year after remission were history, examination, HbA1c %, oral glucose tolerance test & fasting blood glucose and lipid profile and type of treatment. RESULTS: 75% of patients were females with mean age 51.5 ± 11.34 years. The mean duration of treatment till remission was 26.4 ± 33.1 months. One year after remission HbA1c & BMI were significantly decreased (P = 0.001, 0.03; respectively). However, cox proportional hazards model & ROC curve analysis showed that age < 50 years, female sex, short duration of diabetes < 5.2 years, intial HbA1c < 8.5%, HDL > 45.6 mg/dl, and initial intervention with lifestyle modification, 2000 mg metformin and 100 mg vildagliptin are the factors associated with remission. CONCLUSION: Our mission in type 2 DM female patients < 50 years with short duration of disease < 5.2 years, initial HbA1c < 8.5% and HDL > 45.6 mg/dl, is to achieve diabetes remission by intensive life style modification with daily metformin and vildagliptin.