The DiRECT trial examined the impact of a primary care-led weight management program on type 2 diabetes remission over two years. At 1 year, 46% of participants in the intervention group achieved remission, and 24% lost at least 15 kg. By 24 months, 36% of the intervention group remained in remission, and 11% maintained at least 15 kg weight loss, compared to only 3% and 2% in the control group, respectively. Participants who maintained at least 10 kg weight loss had a higher likelihood of remission, with 64% achieving remission. The intervention group also showed greater reductions in body weight and HbA1c compared to the control group.

The results indicate that the DiRECT program effectively sustained diabetes remission in over a third of participants at 24 months, with sustained weight loss being a key factor. Fewer serious adverse events were reported in the intervention group compared to the control group during the second year, highlighting the program’s safety and durability.

Reference: Lean MEJ, Leslie WS, Barnes AC, et al. Durability of a primary care-led weight-management intervention for remission of type 2 diabetes: 2-year results of the DiRECT open-label, cluster-randomised trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2019 May;7(5):344-355. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(19)30068-3. Epub 2019 Mar 6. PMID: 30852132.