Association Between Weight Change, Clinical Outcomes, and Health Care Costs in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests that weight loss is associated with decreases in health care costs among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and that weight change can affect clinical measures, including hemoglobin A1c (A1c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), and blood pressure. Previous research has also demonstrated more pronounced impact of weight change among patients with T2DM who are obese and have no evidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). OBJECTIVES: To (a) examine the association between weight change and all-cause and diabetes-related health care costs among patients with T2DM; (b) examine the association between weight change and select clinical measures among patients with T2DM; and (c) analyze a subgroup of obese patients with no previous CVD. METHODS: This retrospective, observational cohort study used U.S. insurance claims linked to laboratory and electronic medical records. This study included patients with T2DM aged 18 years or older who added or switched t...