ADA/EASD Precision Medicine in Diabetes Initiative: An International Perspective and Future Vision for Precision Medicine in Diabetes
Authors: Nolan John J , Kahkoska Anna R , Semnani-Azad Zhila , Hivert Marie-France , Ji Linong , Mohan Viswanathan , Eckel Robert H , Philipson Louis H , Rich Stephen S , Gruber Chandra , Franks Paul W 
Published: January 2022

The ADA/EASD Precision Medicine in Diabetes
Initiative (PMDI) was launched in 2018 by the American Diabetes Association
(ADA), in collaboration with the European Association for the Study of Diabetes
(EASD). The PMDI has subsequently
partnered with other organizations including the National Institute of
Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation (JDRF) and the Diabetes Technology Society (DTS). The
mandate of the PMDI is to establish consensus on the viability and ultimate clinical
implementation of precision medicine for the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, prognosis,
and monitoring of diabetes. This process is designed to take place through systematic
evaluation of available scientific evidence, expert consultation, and broad stakeholder
engagement (<b>Figure 1</b>). The mandate of the PMDI is pursued with the overarching
goal of facilitating longer, healthier lives for people living with diabetes,
identifying those at risk, and preventing diabetes through multiple interventional
approaches.

<p>The PMDI
held its first international scientific conference in Madrid, Spain, in October
2019. Approximately 100 delegates participated, with attendees from North
America, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Africa, with diverse representation
(including academia, industry, funders, and people with diabetes). The conference
provided the foundation and framework from which a first consensus paper on
precision medicine in diabetes was developed and published in 2020 (1). The
consensus paper named five key pillars, or domains, of precision diabetes
medicine: Precision Diagnostics, Precision Prevention, Precision Treatment, Precision
Prognostics, and Precision Monitoring. Across each domain, the paper also
identified critical gaps in knowledge and evidence required for the scientific
advancement, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of precision medicine in diabetes.
Newly formed PMDI Working Groups (composed of ~175 internationally leading clinicians and researchers in precision
diabetes medicine – (see Appendix)) have since initiated multiple,
ongoing evidence-based evaluations in diabetes related to the five key domains.
</p>

<p>The
second international scientific conference organised by the PMDI was held in
April 2021 (<a href="http://www.pdm2021.org">www.pdm2021.org</a>).
This meeting, hosted virtually owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, included more
than 3,000 participants from 67 countries. Building on the foundation and
framework established at the first conference, diverse stakeholders in the
development and implementation of precision diabetes medicine exchanged new
data, ideas, and opinions. Over three days, the meeting delivered interactive state-of-the-science
overviews of all key domains of precision diabetes medicine in research and
practice. The PMDI Working Groups undertaking systematic reviews provided progress updates, summaries of existing
evidence, and critical gaps in current scientific knowledge. Plenary
presentations discussed the interface of precision medicine in diabetes with
the social determinants of health and disparities in care, as well as the impact
of racial discrimination and other forms of health inequity. Early career
investigators showcased novel findings and contributions to the five key
domains. Daily keynote lectures, delivered by people living with diabetes from around
the globe, highlighted patient perspectives and offered insights into the
opportunities for precision diabetes medicine to improve the day-to-day
experience of living with diabetes. A moderated poster session, with abstracts
selected by reviewers, was a focus of trainees and early-career investigators,
while other abstracts were available for viewing online.</p>