Three distinct BMI trajectories identified in people with type 2 diabetes
A study by the University of Eastern Finland identified three distinct body mass index (BMI) trajectories among people with type 2 diabetes. Over the 10-year follow-up period, the BMI trajectories were associated with significant differences in comorbidities, diabetes medication and health care service use.
A Finnish study has uncovered three unique patterns in body mass index (BMI) among individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Over the course of a decade, researchers observed distinct trends in participants' BMI, which correlated with varying degrees of comorbidities, medication usage, and healthcare service utilization.
The majority, 77.7% of the participants, maintained a stable BMI trajectory throughout the study period. However, 14.6% experienced an upward trend in their BMI, while a smaller subset, 7.7%, witnessed a decrease in their BMI over time.
Those with an increasing BMI trajectory exhibited a consistent rise in their BMI, while the decreasing BMI group saw their BMI initially high at diagnosis, but subsequently lowered to a level similar to that of the stable BMI group. By the study's conclusion, the increasing BMI group reported a higher prevalence of chronic kidney and urinary tract diseases, sleep disorders, sleep apnea, and respiratory ailments compared to the other two groups.
Furthermore, individuals with an increasing BMI trajectory were more likely to require medications that aid weight management as the study progressed. These findings underscore the potential risks associated with an increasing BMI trajectory in individuals with type 2 diabetes, suggesting a greater need for careful monitoring and potentially more intensive management strategies.
Conversely, the decreasing BMI group demonstrated a higher utilization of healthcare services, increased mortality rates, and a greater prevalence of memory disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and pulmonary issues compared to the other two groups. Researchers emphasize that weight loss in this group could be attributed to various factors, including successful weight management, underlying diseases, aging, and frailty.
However, due to the limitations of the register-based data, the specific causes of weight loss in this group could not be determined with certainty.
The study's lead author, Suvi Koivunen, emphasizes the importance of considering weight changes as part of the overall patient situation, particularly in older individuals and those with multiple health issues. She stresses the necessity of thoroughly investigating the underlying causes of weight changes in these patients.
The researchers highlight the significance of long-term monitoring in managing type 2 diabetes, noting that different BMI trajectories are associated with various comorbidities, medication use, and healthcare service utilization. They also stress the importance of weight management as a crucial component of comprehensive type 2 diabetes care, alongside other forms of treatment.
These findings may contribute to the development of individualized care pathways and the planning of long-term management strategies for type 2 diabetes, potentially improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
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