NHS programme prevents people with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia from developing type 2 diabetes, audit shows – The Diabetes Times

People with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia are less at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if they complete the Diabetes Prevention Programme, according to a new NHS audit. 

The findings were based on data from English GP practice systems for people diagnosed with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia and data generated by providers of the Diabetes Prevention Programme relating to referrals.

More than 2.5 million people in England currently have a diagnosis of non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, with this number having increased every year since the first audit in 2017.

Between January 2021 and March 2022, a total of 582,820 were newly diagnosed with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, the audit has reported.

In addition, the audit has revealed that one in six people with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia in 2017-18 developed type 2 diabetes by March 2022.

The audit has now recommended that:

  • GPs should continue to identify people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes by offering a blood test and assessment of their BMI at least once a year
  • GPs should record NDH diagnoses
  • GPs should refer those at high risk onto the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP), to help change behaviour and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. People are supported to maintain a healthy weight, improve nutrition and be more active. These are things which together have been proven to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

To read the audit, click here.