A 10-year follow-up study showed that incidence of diabetes in high-risk adults could be reduced by life style interventions.

     A total of 2766 out of 3150 (88%) subjects were enrolled for a follow-up study after 2•8 years of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). The participants were grouped into three. 910 participants were from the lifestyle, 924 from the metformin, and 932 were from the original placebo groups. On the basis of the benefits from the intensive lifestyle intervention in the DPP, all three groups were offered group-implemented lifestyle intervention. Metformin treatment was continued in the original metformin group (850 mg twice daily as tolerated), with participants unmasked to assignment, and the original lifestyle intervention group was offered additional lifestyle support.

     During the 10-year follow-up, life style group lost weight and then regained partially. The metformin group had also lost weight but they maintained their lost weight during the period. Diabetes incidence rates during the DPP were 4•8 cases per 100 person-years (95% CI 4•1—5•7) in the intensive lifestyle intervention group, 7•8 (6•8—8•8) in the metformin group, and 11•0 (9•8—12•3) in the placebo group.

     The study results can be concluded that the incidence of diabetes in higher risk group can be effectively controlled by life style changes. Prevention or delay of diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin can persist for at least 10 years.