medwireNews: An artificial intelligence (AI) platform known as Whole Body Twin could be one answer to reversing type 2 diabetes, research suggests.
The company Twin Health has developed a system that uses both AI and the Internet of Things, along with wearable sensors such as glucose monitors and fitness watches, to collect thousands of different digital health data points a day. It then combines these with more standard medical information, such as blood test and questionnaire results, to create a “Whole Body Twin” of each person.
The AI then continuously analyzes incoming data to look for metabolic problem areas that might need attention and alerts users about their progress over a prolonged period of time.
Lead researcher Paramesh Shamanna, from the Bangalore Diabetes Centre in India, presented results from a randomized controlled trial of the technology in people with type 2 diabetes as a poster at the 82nd ADA Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Shamanna and team recruited 319 patients, aged 45 years on average, with type 2 diabetes who were randomly assigned to receive the Twin Precision Treatment (TPT) technology or standard care for 180 days. At study completion, 262 patients had data available for analysis, 199 in the TPT group and 63 receiving standard care.
The results showed that 189 (95%) individuals in the TPT group achieved an average glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of less than 6.5% (47.5 mmol/mol) by 180 days, compared with a baseline average of 9.0% (74.9 mmol/mol), without the need for medications or with metformin only. Among those in the standard care group, HbA1c fell from an average of 8.5% (69.4 mmol/mol) to 8.1% (65 mmol/mol) over the same time period.
The ADA states that to be in remission from type 2 diabetes, people must have normal blood sugar for at least 3 months without taking any medication for their condition. By these criteria, 167 (84%) study participants in the TPT group achieved remission at 180 days.
A number of other health factors were also improved by the intervention. For example, time in range went up from 52.8% at baseline to 81.1% at 180 days, bodyweight decreased by 10.7 kg on average, and average waist circumference decreased by 10.9 cm. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as other health factors, were all improved (most by a statistically significant amount).
The authors caution that additional larger and longer-term studies are needed to confirm the benefit of the digital intervention. However, Shamanna emphasized in a statement to the press: “Our results demonstrate the potential of Whole Body Digital Twin technology to change the conventional, medication-driven management of type 2 diabetes to achieving remission of type 2 diabetes with a life free of medication.
“The impact of the program on patient satisfaction, quality of life, and total cost of care is substantial and holds significant promise for large populations suffering from metabolic disease globally.”
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ADA Scientific Sessions; New Orleans, Louisiana: 3–7 June 2022