Artificial Intelligence “Twin” Technology Improves Remission Rates for T2D

According to results from a recent trial, artificial intelligence (AI) created the highest reported rate of remission of type 2 diabetes (T2D) to date.

The findings were presented at the 82nd Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Researchers examined the effect of a wearable called the Whole-Body Digital Twin, created by startup Twin Health Inc. The company has said its “twin precision treatment“ technology uses AI and the Internet of Things in a predictive model with the potential to help reverse diabetes and metabolic diseases by providing individualized nutrition, sleep, activity, and breathing guidance to patients and their health care providers. Thousands of data points are collected daily via noninvasive wearable sensors, which provide a personalized representation of each individual's unique metabolism.

Recommendations are delivered via an app and by health coaches.

The multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the effect of the device compared with standard care on change in glycated hemoglobin (A_1c) and T2D remission at 90-day intervals. Remission for people with T2D is defined as sustaining normal blood glucose levels for a minimum of 3 months without taking diabetes medication.

The baseline mean age, diabetes duration, and A_1C of 319 patients were 45 years, 3.9 years, and 9.0%, respectively. An interim analysis of 262 patients who reached 180 days showed 94.9% of patients using the twin technology had an A_1C below 6.5% using no medications or using metformin only. Most (83.9%) of these patients achieved diabetes remission based on ADA criteria. The 9 patients using insulin stopped using it before 90 days. Patients with a digital twin saw a greater reduction in A_1C than patients without from the baseline to 180 days.

“Our results demonstrate the potential of Whole-Body Digital Twin technology to change the conventional, medication-driven management of T2D to achieving remission of T2D with a life free of medication,” said Paramesh Shamanna, MD, lead author, in a statement. “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.”

Reference

Shamanna P, Shah L, mOhammed J, et al. Remission of type 2 diabetes and improvement in metabolic markers with the Twin Precision Treatment technology (TPT)—a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. Presented at: 82nd Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association; June 3-7, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, and Virtual. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://eppro02.ativ.me/src/EventPilot/php/express/web/page.php?page=IntHtml&project=ADA22&id=1533