Effectiveness of meal replacement on type 2 diabetes mellitus and intermediate hyperglycemia patients : a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Lifestyle intervention is recommended as one important approach for Diabetes Mellitus management. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus could be controlled and maintained by lifestyle intervention with no or less medications. It can delay the onset of diabetes related complications. Meal Replacement is one important lifestyle intervention. It modifies the composition and amount of nutrition intake, through daily meal, in order to control body weight and other metabolic indices. Effectiveness of meal replacement was examined by randomized controlled trials. Reviewing these studies systematically would demonstrate the clinical implication and other benefit of meal replacement, further more to guide the implementation in practice.

Method: Search the online literature databases for related Randomized Controlled Trials. Analyze and compare different strategies of these interventions, as well as the outcomes. The effect of MR would be categorized into on body weight, on blood glucose, on serum lipid and on hypoglycemic medication and prognosis. The economic benefit would also be one important objective.

Result: MR intervention achieved body weight reduction, and considerable controlling effect on glucose and lipid. Majority of studies also reduced the hypoglycemic medication and improved prognosis.

Conclusion: MR is one considerable intervention for T2DM and Intermediate Hyperglycemia patients. It could be integrated into structured lifestyle intervention for prevention and treatment. It also brings economic benefit so that reduce health care burden. Further research is needed for better effectiveness in practice.