Diabetes Remission: Where are We Now?

Authors

  • Akshay Jain, MD, FRCPC, FACE, CCD, ECNU, DABIM, DABOM Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, TLC Diabetes and Endocrinology, Surrey, BC

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58931/cdet.2025.3136

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) poses a substantial global health burden. In 2023, we published an overview on the remission of T2D. Since then, additional long-term data has emerged regarding the outcomes associated with T2D remission, highlighting the importance of revisiting this topic. This article synthesizes findings from the landmark Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT), its 5-year follow-up, and recent studies exploring the enduring benefits of both short-term and sustained remission.

Author Biography

Akshay Jain, MD, FRCPC, FACE, CCD, ECNU, DABIM, DABOM, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, TLC Diabetes and Endocrinology, Surrey, BC

Dr. Akshay Jain is the first Canadian physician to be triple board‑certified by the American Boards in Endocrinology, Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine. He is the only Canadian to have won the AACE Rising Star in Endocrinology Award (2022) and to feature on Medscape’s list of 25 Top Rising Stars of Medicine (2020). He practices in Surrey, BC and is a Clinical Instructor in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of British Columbia. He is fluent in 6 languages: English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Marwari, and Urdu. In 2022, he won the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award.

References

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Lean ME, Leslie WS, Barnes AC, Brosnahan N, Thom G, McCombie L, et al. 5-year follow-up of the randomised diabetes remission clinical trial (DiRECT) of continued support for weight loss maintenance in the UK: an extension study. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2024 Jun;12(6):e17. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00128-1. Erratum in Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2024;12(4):233-246. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(23)00385-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(23)00385-6

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Aksoy AN, Abayomi J, Relph N, Butler T. Physiological and psychological determinants of long-term diet-induced type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remission: a narrative review. Obes Rev. 2024;25(6):e13733. doi: 10.1111/obr.13733 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13733

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Published

2025-05-08

How to Cite

Jain, A. (2025). Diabetes Remission: Where are We Now?. Canadian Diabetes & Endocrinology Today, 3(1), 10–16. https://doi.org/10.58931/cdet.2025.3136

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