A new study offers insights into type 2 diabetes remission in everyday clinical settings. Titled “Clinical and Demographic Characteristics Associated with Diabetes Remission in Six Integrated Health Care Systems: A Retrospective Cohort Study,” the research was published in Diabetes Journal of the American Diabetes Association. It was led by Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine (KPSOM) class of 2026 student Barune Thapa and co-authored by several KPSOM faculty members.
“Our goal was to understand how often remission from type 2 diabetes occurs in real-world settings and what factors make it more likely,” said Thapa. “In addition to our findings about adults with type 2 diabetes going into remission over three years, most often earlier in the disease, we also saw that people from more disadvantaged neighborhoods were less likely to reach remission.”
“As a medical student, and someone committed to addressing chronic disease and health inequities, it’s rewarding to contribute research that can both inform clinical care and highlight structural determinants of health,” Thapa said.
Analyzing data from over half a million adults across six major US health systems, researchers found that only 2.9 percent achieved remission without bariatric surgery. Remission was defined as maintaining HbA1c levels below 6.5 percent for at least three months without glucose-lowering medications. Key predictors included fewer medications at the outset, lower initial HbA1c, and shorter disease duration. Still, 36.9 percent of those who entered remission relapsed within three years.
Thapa’s role as lead author highlights the impact of student-led research in shaping future care strategies. The findings offer actionable insights for clinicians and underscore the importance of early, personalized interventions in diabetes management.
