{"id":44743,"date":"2022-06-06T14:01:22","date_gmt":"2022-06-06T12:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharma-trend.com\/en\/virta-health-highlights-lasting-transformative-health-improvements-in-5-year-diabetes-reversal-study\/"},"modified":"2022-06-06T14:01:22","modified_gmt":"2022-06-06T12:01:22","slug":"virta-health-highlights-lasting-transformative-health-improvements-in-5-year-diabetes-reversal-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharma-trend.com\/en\/virta-health-highlights-lasting-transformative-health-improvements-in-5-year-diabetes-reversal-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Virta Health Highlights Lasting, Transformative Health Improvements In 5-Year Diabetes Reversal Study"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\nResults show broad cardiometabolic health improvement, including blood sugar control, weight loss, and medication deprescription, <\/b>with half of all diabetes drugs eliminated at 5 years<\/i>\n<\/p>\n

\n\u201cThrough Virta, I not only reversed my diabetes and lost over 50 pounds, I got my life back.\u201d \u2014 Jane Ann Dimitt, who lowered her A1c from 11.4% to 5.5% while removing medications<\/i>\n<\/p>\n

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Virta Health, the leader in type 2 diabetes reversal, revealed preliminary five-year results from its landmark clinical trial at the American Diabetes Association 82nd Scientific Sessions. Presenting four unique abstracts, Virta highlighted myriad, lasting health improvements for people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, including blood sugar control, clinically-significant weight loss, reduced inflammation, and improvements in other markers of cardiometabolic health.\n<\/p>\n

<\/a>
<\/a><\/p>\n

\nThese transformative health outcomes coincided with medication reduction or elimination for many trial patients, including Jane Ann Dimitt.\n<\/p>\n

\nFor over two decades, Jane Ann was prescribed increasing levels of medications as her blood sugar and weight continued to climb. By the time she joined Virta in 2015, her A1c had reached 11.4%; the next step was insulin. Through Virta\u2019s treatment, Jane Ann lowered her blood sugar to 5.5% (below even the prediabetes threshold) and lost over 50 pounds, while drastically reducing <\/i>her reliance on medications. She also saw improved mobility, decreased inflammation and neuropathy, and now has the energy to play with her grandchildren\u2014all without needing the insulin doctors said was imminent.\n<\/p>\n

\nThe outcomes of Jane Ann and Virta\u2019s other trial patients contradict the belief that progression of diabetes\u2014and a lifetime of increasing medications\u2014is inevitable. One-fifth of Virta patients completing five years of treatment saw full remission<\/a> (A1c <6.5% without any diabetes medications for at least 3 months). One-third of patients achieved A1c below 6.5% without any diabetes medications, or only requiring Metformin. Notably, inflammatory markers, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol all improved significantly.\n<\/p>\n

\nThese outcomes, in conjunction with previous research demonstrating improvements in cardiovascular disease risk factors<\/a>, depression symptoms<\/a>, sleep<\/a>, and knee pain<\/a>, establish the promise of Virta\u2019s approach to impact a wide range of conditions amid America\u2019s metabolic disease epidemic. In the U.S., costs are rising<\/a> as patient outcomes continue to worsen<\/a>, including surges in amputations, hyperglycemic events<\/a>, and diabetes-related deaths<\/a> during the COVID-19 pandemic.\n<\/p>\n

\nMeanwhile, getting patients to stick with an intervention remains a significant challenge in diabetes therapy. Rates of medication adherence\u2014that is, whether patients take their medications as prescribed\u2014fall as low as 34%<\/a> over the first three years for those starting insulin. For the National Diabetes Prevention Program, considered the gold standard in lifestyle interventions, only 13%<\/a> of patients were retained at one year.\n<\/p>\n

\nIn contrast, in Virta\u2019s trial nearly 50% of participants with type 2 diabetes were retained at five years. Of those who continued past year two, 72% remained for an additional three years to year five. For Kim Shepherd, who lost 55 pounds, eliminated 10 different medications, reversed her diabetes, and even saw her GERD (acid reflux) and plantar fasciitis disappear, the reasons to stick with the treatment are clear.\n<\/p>\n

\n\u201cDiabetes runs in my family, and I know that this disease can rob you of your whole life; it can take your eyes, your feet, and your kidneys. I have 4 kids and 9 grandkids to keep up with. I\u2019ve learned to love hiking and biking. Nothing is worth losing all of that and going back to how I was before.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\nAdditional key outcomes demonstrating the success of Virta\u2019s approach at five years include:\n<\/p>\n