Media contributions
1Media contributions
Title GP Weight Watchers referral reduces glucose levels in over a third of patients Degree of recognition International Media name/outlet Pulse Media type Web Country/Territory United Kingdom Date 16/10/17 Description Over a third of patients with elevated HbA1c levels achieved normoglycaemia after being referred to a Weight Watchers programme by their GP, a study has found.
Patients with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, raised HbA1c levels that put patients at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, who were referred to a Weight Watchers diabetes prevention programme by their GP experienced significant reductions in glucose levels, with just over a third achieving normal levels, as well as significant weight loss.
The study, conducted by researchers in London, looked at 114 overweight and obese patients from 14 practices with elevated HbA1c levels.
The researchers suggested that the Weight Watchers program was a simple, potentially cost-effective way to carry out diabetes prevention in patients at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
They said in the paper: ‘A UK primary care referral route partnered with this commercial weight management provider can deliver an effective DPP. The lifestyle changes and weight loss achieved in the intervention translated into considerable reductions in diabetes risk, with an immediate and significant public health impact.
‘This study evidences how to roll out prevention programs in the real world utilising existing referral pathways. There is a need to spread the findings of what works to ensure the successful delivery of the Five Year Forward View, at a time when public sector budgets are being increasingly squeezed.
‘A strength of this study was that it utilized an existing GP referral pathway rather than expensive outreach recruitment teams or costly letters to patients.’
NICE finalised guidance for GPs referring at-risk patients for lifestyle interventions as part of the NHS’ flagship Diabetes Prevention Programme in September.
BMJ Open Diabetes Res. Care 2017; available online 16th OctoberURL https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/uncategorised/gp-weight-watchers-referral-reduces-glucose-levels-in-over-a-third-of-patients/ Persons Amanda R A Adegboye