On March 22nd, the unveiling ceremony of the "Expert Consensus on Clinical Management of Reversal Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Complicated with Obesity in China (2023 Edition)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Consensus"), hosted by the Guangdong Geriatrics Health Association and organized by the Second People's Hospital of Guangdong Province (hereinafter referred to as the Second Hospital), was held at the Second Hospital.
A team of 23 experts collaborated to develop the latest consensus on the reversal treatment of diabetes and obesity. Led by Professor Xu Gugen from the Second Hospital of Guangzhou, the consensus was jointly researched and compiled by the Diabetes Reversal Professional Committee of the Guangdong Elderly Health Care Association and the Diabetes Management Professional Committee of the Guangdong Hospital Association. It integrates the latest scientific research and clinical experience to provide scientific, standardized, and effective guidance for the reversal treatment of diabetes combined with obesity.
So, what exactly is reversal treatment for diabetes? Xu Gugen explains that diabetes reversal is a therapeutic approach aimed at fundamentally eliminating the underlying factors causing diabetes. Through a comprehensive intervention known as "2+N," the goal is to reverse the patient's condition, restore the body's natural ability to regulate blood sugar, stabilize blood glucose levels, reduce medication, and ultimately improve the patient's quality of life.
The "2" refers to the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, combining medication with non-drug therapies, while "N" encompasses diverse measures such as lifestyle adjustments, nutritional interventions, exercise therapy, and psychological support. Xu Gugen clarifies that reversal treatment is applicable to individuals diagnosed with both diabetes and obesity, except those with severe cardiovascular diseases, renal failure, or type 1 diabetes.
"It's important to understand that reversal treatment doesn't guarantee that all patients will stop medication. It's just one method to stabilize blood sugar and reduce medication," Xu Gugen emphasizes. Typically, a reversal treatment course lasts for three months, although some patients with severe conditions or poor compliance may require longer. After treatment, consolidation and lifestyle management are necessary for lifelong maintenance. Generally, there's a higher probability of reducing or discontinuing medication in the early to mid stages of diabetes, while in advanced stages, although medication may not be stopped entirely, it can be reduced, leading to stabilized blood sugar, reduced complications, and improved quality of life.
"After reversal treatment, patients can benefit greatly, and the earlier the treatment, the better the results," Xu Gugen stresses. Precision, comprehensiveness, and personalization are crucial for the reversal treatment of type 2 diabetes combined with obesity. Over the past decade, the Second Hospital has provided reversal treatment to nearly ten thousand diabetes patients, with each treatment plan tailored to the individual's needs. For instance, for patients who enjoy snacks, efforts are made to ensure they can indulge without raising blood sugar levels, while those with sedentary jobs are provided with suitable exercise plans.
It's noted that the release of the consensus will play a leading role in standardizing and guiding the reversal treatment of diabetes combined with obesity. As clinical practice and understanding evolve, the consensus will continue to be optimized and updated, serving as a guide for clinical reversal treatment of diabetes in China, ultimately benefiting diabetes patients.
