1. Type 2 Diabetes Slideshow Pictures
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Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• Type 2 diabetes prevention facts
• Introduction to diabetes prevention
• What is type 2 diabetes?
• What are the risks factors for developing diabetes?
• What "red flags" or symptoms point to an increased risk for diabetes?
• Is gestational diabetes a risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life?
• Diabetes prevention and diet
• Is there anything that can help to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes?
• Are there medications that can help to prevent type 2 diabetes?
• Find a local Family Physician in your town
• Diabetes Prevention Index

The answer is yes.

As described previously, metformin has been shown in the DPP trial to prevent the development of diabetes in those with impaired glucose tolerance. While not quite as effective as intensive lifestyle change, metformin decreased the rate of progression from 29% in the placebo group to 22%. The American Diabetes Association has recommended metformin for the prevention of diabetes in very high-risk individuals.

Another class of drugs called the thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone [Actos] and rosiglitazone [Avandia]) has been shown to be beneficial in prevention of type 2 diabetes. Drugs in this class have also been studied extensively in patients who have had gestational diabetes, and there is a significant reduction in the annual rates of progression to diabetes (5.4% compared to 12.1% with placebo). Avandia, however, has been associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, on September 23, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it will significantly restrict the use of the diabetes drug rosiglitazone (Avandia) to patients with type 2 diabetes who cannot control their diabetes on other medications such as pioglitazone (Actos).

Acarbose (Precose), a drug designed to reduce small intestinal absorption of carbohydrates has been used with some success as well. The STOP NIDDM trial showed that in about 1400 patients with impaired glucose tolerance, acarbose significantly reduced progression to diabetes compared to placebo.

REFERENCES:

American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care. Effects of Diet and Exercise in Preventing NIDDM in People With Impaired Glucose Tolerance: The Da Qing IGT and Diabetes Study.

American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care. The Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS).

American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care. The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP): description of lifestyle intervention.

CDC.gov. Diabetes Facts.

FDA Prescribing Information for Avandia.

Harvard School of Public Health. Study Links Western Dietary Pattern with a Greater Risk for Type 2 Diabetes in Men.

Harvard School of Public Health. Simple Steps to Preventing Diabetes.

WebMD.com. Western Diet Ups Heart, Diabetes Risk.

Previous contributing author: Ruchi Mathur, MD, FRCP(C)