Intervention-only programmes were in general more cost effective than programmes that also included a screening component .
The longer the period evaluated , the more cost-effective interventions appeared .
There was insufficient evidence to answer the question of ( 1 ) whether lifestyle programmes are more cost effective than metformin or ( 2 ) whether low-intensity lifestyle interventions are more cost effective than the more intensive lifestyle programmes that were tested in trials .
OBJECTIVE Explore the cost-effectiveness of lifestyle interventions and metformin in reducing subsequent incidence of type 2 diabetes  , both alone and in combination with a screening programme to identify high-risk individuals .
Prevention of type 2 diabetes in a primary healthcare setting: Three-year results of lifestyle intervention in Japanese subjects with impaired glucose tolerance
Background A r and omized control trial was performed to test whether a lifestyle intervention program , carried out in a primary healthcare setting using existing re sources , can reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes in Japanese with impaired glucose tolerance ( IGT ) . The results of 3 years ' intervention are summarized . Methods Through health checkups in communities and workplaces , 304 middle-aged IGT subjects with a mean body mass index ( BMI ) of 24.5 kg/m2 were recruited and r and omized to the intervention group or control group . The lifestyle intervention was carried out for 3 years by public health nurses using the curriculum and educational material s provided by the study group . Results After 1 year , the intervention had significantly improved body weight ( -1.5 ± 0.7 vs. -0.7 ± 2.5 kg in the control ; p = 0.023 ) and daily non-exercise leisure time energy expenditure ( 25 ± 113 vs. -3 ± 98 kcal ; p = 0.045 ) . Insulin sensitivity assessed by the Matsuda index was improved by the intervention during the 3 years . The 3-year cumulative incidence tended to be lower in the intervention group ( 14.8 % vs.8.2 % , log-rank test : p = 0.097 ) . In a sub- analysis for the subjects with a BMI > 22.5 kg/m2 , a significant reduction in the cumulative incidence was found ( p = 0.027 ) . Conclusions The present lifestyle intervention program using existing healthcare re sources is beneficial in preventing diabetes in Japanese with IGT . This has important implication s for primary healthcare-based diabetes prevention . Trial registration
Intervention-only programmes were in general more cost effective than programmes that also included a screening component .
The longer the period evaluated , the more cost-effective interventions appeared .
There was insufficient evidence to answer the question of ( 1 ) whether lifestyle programmes are more cost effective than metformin or ( 2 ) whether low-intensity lifestyle interventions are more cost effective than the more intensive lifestyle programmes that were tested in trials .
OBJECTIVE Explore the cost-effectiveness of lifestyle interventions and metformin in reducing subsequent incidence of type 2 diabetes  , both alone and in combination with a screening programme to identify high-risk individuals .