Association between weight change and incidence of cardiovascular disease events and mortality among adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review of observational studies and behavioural intervention trials

Strelitz, J., Lawlor, E. R. , Wu, Y., Estlin, A., Nandakumar, G., Ahern, A. L. and Griffin, S. J. (2022) Association between weight change and incidence of cardiovascular disease events and mortality among adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review of observational studies and behavioural intervention trials. Diabetologia, 65(3), pp. 424-439. (doi: 10.1007/s00125-021-05605-1) (PMID:34859263) (PMCID:PMC8803822)

Abstract

Aims/hypothesis: Weight loss is often recommended in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. While evidence has shown that large weight loss may lead to diabetes remission and improvement in cardiovascular risk factors, long-term impacts are unclear. We performed a systematic review of studies of weight loss and other weight changes and incidence of CVD among people with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Observational studies of behavioural (non-surgical and non-pharmaceutical) weight changes and CVD events among adults with type 2 diabetes, and trials of behavioural interventions targeting weight loss, were identified through searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library (CENTRAL) until 9 July 2019. Included studies reported change in weight and CVD and/or mortality outcomes among adults with type 2 diabetes. We performed a narrative synthesis of observational studies and meta-analysis of trial data. Results: Of 13,227 identified articles, 17 (14 observational studies, three trials) met inclusion criteria. Weight gain (vs no change) was associated with higher hazard of CVD events (HRs [95% CIs] ranged from 1.13 [1.00, 1.29] to 1.63 [1.11, 2.39]) and all-cause mortality (HRs [95% CIs] ranged from 1.26 [1.12, 1.41] to 1.57 [1.33, 1.85]). Unintentional weight loss (vs no change) was associated with higher risks of all-cause mortality, but associations with intentional weight loss were unclear. Behavioural interventions targeting weight loss showed no effect on CVD events (pooled HR [95% CI] 0.95 [0.71, 1.27]; I2 = 50.1%). Risk of bias was moderate in most studies and was high in three studies, due to potential uncontrolled confounding and method of weight assessment. Conclusions/interpretation: Weight gain is associated with increased risks of CVD and mortality, although there is a lack of data supporting behavioural weight-loss interventions for CVD prevention among adults with type 2 diabetes. Long-term follow-up of behavioural intervention studies is needed to understand effects on CVD and mortality and to inform policy concerning weight management advice and support for people with diabetes. PROSPERO registration CRD42019127304.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work received MRC Epidemiology Unit core funding MC_UU_12015/4 and NIHR PGfAR RP PG 0216 20010.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lawlor, Dr Emma
• Authors: Strelitz, J., Lawlor, E. R., Wu, Y., Estlin, A., Nandakumar, G., Ahern, A. L., and Griffin, S. J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Diabetologia
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0012-186X
• ISSN (Online): 1432-0428
• Published Online: 02 December 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Author(s)
• First Published: First published in Diabetologia 65(3):424-439
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence