Healthy lifestyle associated with reduced risk of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes

According to research data, maintaining a healthy lifestyle before or after diagnosis of type 2 diabetes was associated with a significantly lower risk of microvascular complications in people with diabetes.

Result is JAMA network open.

“Evidence remains lacking regarding the association between a healthy lifestyle combination pre- and post-diabetes diagnosis and subsequent risk of microvascular complications.” Dr. Gang Liu PhDs in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in Boston write in background to the study: “Furthermore, it remains unclear whether pre- and post-diagnosis lifestyle modifications for diabetes are associated with the risk of microvascular events.”

Researchers investigated dietary and lifestyle factors before and after diabetes diagnosis in 7,077 adults with type 2 diabetes (mean age 61 years, 68.7% women) without cardiovascular disease or cancer. All participants completed the Diabetes Supplemental Questionnaire at the Nurse’s Health Survey and the Health Professional Follow-up Survey. A healthy lifestyle was defined as smoking cessation, a healthy weight, moderate to vigorous physical activity, a high-quality diet, and moderate alcohol consumption.

The primary outcomes were physician-diagnosed microvascular complications, including diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, and foot disorders, self-reported on a questionnaire.

During follow-up, 2,878 participants developed microvascular complications. Adherence to a healthy lifestyle before and after diabetes diagnosis was associated with a reduced risk of developing microvascular complications. Four or more factors were associated with a higher risk of microvascular complications (RR = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.6–0.91), diabetic neuropathy, compared with no low-risk lifestyle factors prior to diabetes diagnosis. (RR = 0.71; 95% CI) risk reduction. , 0.54-0.93), diabetic retinopathy (RR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.57-1.01), diabetic nephropathy (RR = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.23-0.79), diabetic foot disorder (RR = 0.6 95% CI, 0.35-1).

The researchers found that any microvascular complications (RR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.55-0.83), diabetic neuropathy (RR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.51-0.88), diabetic retinopathy (RR = 0.65 95% CI, 0.48-0.86), diabetic nephropathy (RR = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34-0.98), and diabetic foot disorder (RR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.37-1.05).

The researchers also noted that significant improvements in lifestyle factors from pre-to post-diabetic diagnosis were significantly associated with reduced risk of diabetic neuropathy or microvascular complications. Each additional low-risk lifestyle factor was associated with a 6% lower risk of microvascular complications and a 9% lower risk of diabetic neuropathy.

“These findings suggest an important role for lifestyle modifications in preventing microvascular complications in people with type 2 diabetes and support the American Diabetes Association guidelines recommending lifestyle modifications in people with diabetes. We are,” the researcher wrote.