As we round out an exciting year in the weight management and diabetes fields, I reflect on some of the most important things (in my view) that happened in 2022:
Weight loss became a primary treatment target in type 2 diabetes in the new American/European consensus statement, alongside the ever important goals of blood sugar control, and protection of heart and kidneys.
Our Obesity Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines Pharmacotherapy Chapter 2022 Update was published, complete with our whole new Decision Tool to guide on how to choose the most appropriate weight management medication, and an expanded focus on the benefits of these medications to treat specific weight-related health complications.
Diabetes Canada published a brand new Clinical Practice Guidelines chapter on diabetes remission. These guidelines advise on who may (or may not) be more likely to achieve remission of their type 2 diabetes, the treatments that have been shown in clinical trials to facilitate remission, and how to frame the conversation around remission in clinical practice. (An important and related question is: Type 2 diabetes can go into remission, but can obesity go into remission? I’ll take that one on in 2023 – stay tuned!)
Approvals for new medications in Canada: tirzepatide (trade name Mounjaro) for type 2 diabetes (not yet on shelves), which shows very powerful capacity for both diabetes control and weight loss; and finerenone (trade name Kerendia, now on shelves) for kidney protection in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
As we roll into 2023, I am very excited for the evolution of this field as we move forward to study new hormonally-based weight management medications that we predict will achieve 20-25% weight loss and/or provide powerful blood sugar control in people with diabetes. We will also learn more this year about the benefits of these treatments to health issues associated with elevated weight, like cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and many more.
Coming up on the 14 year anniversary of writing this blog, I remain dedicated to keep you updated as these exciting data unfold! See you next year 😀
Disclaimer: I am an investigator in the tirzepatide clinical trial program for obesity and type 2 diabetes. I receive honoraria as a continuing medical education speaker and consultant from the makers of tirzepatide (Eli Lilly) and finerenone (Bayer).
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