Participant food and activity costs in a translational Diabetes Prevention Program.

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and its translational adaptations have been shown to be effective. However, individual-level economic impacts, such as the out-of-pocket costs borne by participants due to involvement in these programs have not been consistently and thoroughly evaluated. As cost is an important consideration that will impact the willingness of individuals to participate in such programs, this study examined direct monetary costs to participants in the Group Lifestyle Balance (GLB) DPP. Older adults (n = 134, mean age 62.8 years) with body mass index (BMI) ≥24 kg/m2 and prediabetes and/or metabolic syndrome participated in this GLB intervention, with two-thirds randomized to begin the intervention immediately and one-third functioning as a control for 6 months before receiving the entire intervention. Food and activity time and costs borne by participants were measured by self-report at baseline and after 6 months. Significant improvements in clinical metabolic measures, weight, and physical activity levels were achieved after 6 months in the intervention group compared both with baseline and the controls. Food costs did not increase among intervention participants. Costs related to physical activity did not change consistently over the course of the intervention. This DPP-GLB lifestyle intervention was effective in reducing risk factors for Type 2 diabetes mellitus among a diverse group of older participants without significantly increasing their out-of-pocket costs for food or physical activity over the course of the intervention. These results should help reduce concerns of individuals who are hesitant to participate in similar programs due to costs. The clinical trial registration number of this study is NCT01050205.

Impact of a community-based lifestyle intervention program on health-related quality of life.

BACKGROUND: The presence of risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, or the conditions themselves, contributes to lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adults. Although community-based lifestyle intervention programs have been shown to be effective for improving risk factors for these diseases, the impact of these interventions on HRQoL has rarely been described. PURPOSE: To examine changes in HRQoL following participation in the Group Lifestyle Balance program, a community translation of the Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle intervention for adults with prediabetes and/or the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Participants enrolled in the 12-month, 22-session intervention program (N = 223) completed the EuroQol Health Questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) at baseline, 6, and 12 months. Linear mixed-effects regression models determined change in EQ-5D-visual analog scale (VAS) and Index scores post-intervention. RESULTS: Mean EQ-5D-VAS was improved by +7.38 (SE = 1.03) at 6 months and by +6.73 (SE = 1.06) at 12 months post-intervention (both; p < 0.0001). Mean changes in EQ-5D index values were +0.00 (SE = 0.01; NS) and +0.01 (SE = 0.01; p < 0.05), respectively. Adjusted for age, baseline score, and achieving intervention goals, mean change in EQ-5D-VAS was +11.83 (SE = 1.61) at 6 months and +11.23 (SE = 1.54) at 12 months (both; p < 0.0001). Adjusted mean change in EQ-5D index value was +0.04 (SE = 0.01) at 6 months and +0.05 (SE = 0.01) at 12 months (both; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Participation in a community lifestyle intervention program resulted in improved HRQoL among adults with prediabetes and/or the metabolic syndrome. These benefits to HRQoL, together with improved clinical and behavioral outcomes, should increase the appeal of such programs for improving health.

Oxidative stress and response in relation to coronary artery disease in type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Although oxidative stress (OxS) is thought to contribute to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD), little is known about the variability in an individual's ability to respond to OxS. Therefore, we assessed potential indices of response to OxS and evaluated whether they modify the association between OxS and CAD. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We evaluated plasma α- and γ-tocopherol per unit cholesterol (potential response markers); urinary 15-isoprostane F2t per milligram creatinine (isoprostane [IsoP], a potential stress marker); and the α-tocopherol-to-IsoP ratio (as a measure of response to stress), measured three times during 20 years of follow-up, in relation to CAD incidence in a cohort with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes (n = 658; mean age at baseline, 28 years; duration of diabetes, 19 years). Participants with three samples (blood and either 24-h or overnight urine) available before the onset of CAD or the end of follow-up (n = 356) were selected for study. RESULTS: In multivariable mixed models, α-tocopherol over time was inversely associated with CAD (ß = -0.27; P = 0.02), whereas a direct association was observed for IsoP (ß = 0.0008; P = 0.06). Moreover, the α-tocopherol-to-IsoP ratio was strongly and inversely related to CAD incidence (ß = -0.72; P = 0.003), whereas in a separate model including α-tocopherol and IsoP, both biomarkers maintained statistical significance. No association was observed for γ-tocopherol (ß = -0.22; P = 0.54). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that a greater potential capability (α-tocopherol) to respond to OxS (urinary IsoP) relates to CAD incidence.