Weight loss boosts quality of life in type 2 diabetes

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who lose more weight appear to have better quality of life (QoL), an effect that is independent of treatments received, according to a study presented at the recent 82nd Scientific Sessions by the American Diabetes Association (ADA 2022).

“In addition to glycaemic control, the ADA recommends weight management for patients with T2D with overweight or obesity,” the researchers said. “Weight loss was associated with improved QoL with greater improvement seen in higher percentages of weight loss in patients with T2D, regardless of therapy.”

Researchers pooled data from all five studies of the SURPASS clinical trial program, which evaluated the therapeutic impact of tirzepatide on T2D patients. The present analysis included all patients who achieved ≥5 percent, ≥10 percent, and ≥15 percent weight loss, regardless of treatment allocation and dosing.

The study’s primary outcomes were patient-reported outcomes (PRO) such as scores in the EQ-5D-5L and Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire change. In addition, weight-related PROs were assessed, including Ability to Perform Physical Activities of Daily Living (APPADL), Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite Clinical Trials (IWQOL-Lite-CT), and Impact of Weight on Self-Perceptions (IW-SP).

Results showed that any degree of weight loss led to notable improvements across all PRO measures. At study endpoint, APPADL score increased by a mean of 6.59 points from baseline in participants who saw a ≥5 percent weight loss. [ADA 2022, abstract 47-LB]

Of note, losing more weight correlated with better PROs. Those who lost ≥10 percent and bodyweight saw an 8.02- and 9.88-point improvement in APPADL, respectively.

The same was true for the other weight-related PRO indices. IWQOL-Lite-CT scores grew by an average of 11.21 points in participants who lost ≥5 percent of their body weight, 13.97 points in those who lost ≥10 percent, and 16.41 points in those who lost ≥15 percent.

Meanwhile IW-SP scores increased by 13.15, 16.31, and 19.31 points in participants who had ≥5 percent, ≥10 percent, and ≥15 percent weight loss, respectively.

Even generic PRO measures were similarly affected by weight loss, but to a lesser degree. EQ-5D-5L improved by 0.04 points from baseline in patients who lost ≥5 percent of their body weight, and by 0.05 and 0.05 points in those who lost ≥10 percent and ≥15 percent of their weight, respectively.

While previous studies have already shown that weight loss might improve QoL in T2D patients, in turn leading to better and healthier behaviours, the present study pooled figures from a large, well-designed, and global program, contributing high-quality data to the literature. [Eur J Intern Med 2012;23:143-149; Value in Health 2017;20:PA921]