Diabetes Treatment: Tailoring Plans for Long-Term Success

A concerning trend reveals that nearly 40% of patients with type 2 diabetes discontinue their medication within the first year, jeopardizing their health. UVA Health experts, in a new paper, advocate for a shift towards personalized treatment strategies that prioritize patient adherence and long-term well-being. The key, they emphasize, is collaborative decision-making between doctors and patients.

The paper stresses the importance of understanding patient preferences and lifestyles, moving beyond traditional prescriptions to include emerging alternatives like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as Ozempic). CGMs, now available over-the-counter, offer real-time blood sugar monitoring, while GLP-1 agonists often lead to weight loss, which significantly improves blood sugar control.

Beyond medication, lifestyle interventions play a crucial role. Dr. Daniel J. Cox, a UVA diabetes expert, has developed the GEM (Glucose Everyday Matters) program, a less demanding approach focusing on informed eating choices and well-timed exercise to prevent blood sugar spikes. This program, which has helped Dr. Cox achieve diabetes remission for 15 years, emphasizes understanding how different foods affect individual blood sugar levels and promoting an active lifestyle.

"The best treatment is one that is easy to implement and sustainable for the patient," the authors state. They advocate for a partnership approach, where doctors listen carefully to patient needs and empower them to make informed decisions. This collaborative strategy increases the likelihood of long-term adherence and ultimately leads to better blood sugar control and improved overall health.

"Nothing works if it is not followed consistently," Dr. Cox emphasizes. "Patients and significant others being personally engaged in whatever approach taken is critical." The GEM program, he notes, not only helps control diabetes but also promotes general health and reduces the risk of other chronic diseases.

Source: UVA Health