Practo Unveils New Diabetes Management & Remission Program
Practo, a digital healthcare company on Thursday introduced 'Transform,' its diabetes management and remission program, that will seek to bring blood sugar levels to normal levels without medication.
The company claimed that early results of Practo Transform show that over 250 patients with Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes reduced their diabetes burden with reduced or no medications. With an average age of 44, an HbA1c level of 8.4 per cent, and an average duration of diabetes of over 6 years, the results showcased that patients experienced a 1.7-point reduction in HbA1c levels (8.4 to 6.6) and on average lost 7.2 kgs body weight in a 6-month duration.
"Developed in collaboration with medical experts from the NHS, U.K using the evidence from the landmark DIRECT trial adapted for the Indian population, 'Transform' is a 6-month program that uses digital delivery via WhatsApp, video, and audio calls," the company said in a statement.
It combines technology with a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach with a focus on sustained habit and behaviour change. The model subsumes daily customised fitness and yoga sessions at different time schedules, feedback from a dietician for all meals, doctor follow-up of glucose patterns and a personal mentor.
Talking about remission, Dr Anusha N D, Consultant, Endocrinologist, Shanta Centre for Diabetes & Endocrinology said, “Diabetes can’t be reversed but it is definitely possible to put it into remission with weight loss. Diabetes is common among young people nowadays because of their lifestyle and increased obesity. So if one loses weight by concentrating on diet and exercise, remission is possible.
Dr Anusha however added that remission might not happen to everyone but weight loss definitely comes with a lot of benefits, for instance, one can decrease the dose of diabetic and hypertensive medications, and the lipid profile will be better. "Overall there will be fewer complications and better health. And the Practo Transform programme will help improve patients' lifestyle, reduce weight and overall well being,” said Dr Anusha.
