EN15 - Impact of Twelve-Week Caloric Restriction on Glycemic Control in Overweight Diabetic Cats: A Follow-up Study

Abstract:

Background: Twelve-week caloric restriction using a novel diabetic diet in overweight diabetic cats (intervention) increased likelihood of remission and improved glycemic control compared to those fed for maintenance (control).

Objective: Assess glycemic control 9 months after 12-week caloric restriction.

Animals: Seventy-two, client-owned, overweight diabetic cats (32 intervention; 40 control).

Methods: Cats continued a novel diabetic diet following the initial 12-week intervention, and were fed for maintenance unless further weight reduction was desired (if overweight). Remission status and glycemic control (in-clinic blood glucose [BG], fructosamine and diabetic clinical score [DCS]) were assessed. Analysis included Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests, Cox’s regression and linear mixed-effects models.

Results: Twenty-two of 32 (69%) intervention and 33/40 (83%) control cats completed the 9-month follow-up (P = .17). Of these, 17/22 (77%) intervention cats, compared to 16/33 (48%) control cats, achieved sustained remission until follow-up completion (P = .03). Including cats not completing, likelihood of achieving remission did not differ between groups (20/32 [63%] intervention; 20/40 [50%] control; P = .06). Diabetic relapse during follow-up only occurred in 4 control cats. Median time to insulin withdrawal was shorter in intervention cats (3.7 [range 0.1-33.0] weeks) than controls (10.5 [0.1-47.0] weeks) (P = .04). Fructosamine, BG and DCS improved over time (all P < .001), but did not differ between groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Twelve-week caloric restriction was associated with sustained diabetic remission over 9 months and earlier exogenous insulin withdrawal. Given frequent relapse in diabetic cats, caloric restriction’s potential to prolong remission warrants further investigation.