Timing Matters in Prediabetes Remission, with Arvid Sandforth, MD

Achieving early remission of prediabetes to normal glucose regulation (NGR) during lifestyle intervention offered additional protective benefits for preventing type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared with late remission.

These findings were presented at at the 2025 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions, held June 20-23, in Chicago, Illinois, by primary investigator Arvid Sandforth, MD, physician scientist, Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases, Tübingen, Germany.

The analysis compared, from a prediabetes lifestyle intervention study, responders that returned to normal glycemia at an early time point after 6 months, participants that reached remission after 12 months, and participants that never reached remission. Both responder groups at 6 months (relative risk [RR], 0.15 [95% CI, 0.07-0.31]; P <.001) and 12 months (RR, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.23-0.82]; P = .009) had a protective effect against T2D, but the group that reached early remission was even better off than the ones reaching later remission (RR, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.12-0.79]; P = .01).

HCPLive spoke with Sandforth to learn more about the analysis, its rationale, and its findings. He also touched on further research he would like to do concerning sex and ethnicity differences. Lastly, he stressed that clinicians should keep these findings in mind and do what they can to help their patients with prediabetes to help themselves and reach remission, the earlier the better.

“The most important part is to be aware that early detection matters and to be aware that remission is attainable, right? It's a target that's worth striving for. And also, I think, having this in mind, providing people with resources that the patients help themselves [with is important],” Sandforth said.

Sandforth has no disclosures to report.

REFERENCE

Sandforth A, Sandforth L, Katzenstein S, et al. Early vs. Late Prediabetes Remission during Lifestyle Intervention Is Relevant for Type 2 Diabetes Prevention. Presented at: ADA 2025; June 20-23; Chicago, Illinois. Presentation #163-OR