Dr Alhassane Diallo reveals how weight and blood sugar influence the survival of diabetics

Faced with the worrying increase in type 2 diabetes worldwide, researchers increasingly agree on the importance of a global approach to the disease. It is in this context that a study led by Dr Alhassane Diallo, teacher-researcher at the Department of Public Health at Gamal Abdel Nasser University in Conakry, makes a major scientific contribution.

Published in June 2025 in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, this international research demonstrates that simple weight loss, combined with better blood sugar control, can significantly reduce the risk of death in people with type 2 diabetes.

A large-scale meta-analysis

Fruit of an in-depth analysis of 44 clinical trials carried out around the world, this study focused on more than 274,000 patients. Its results show that every kilogram lost is associated with a 3.4% reduction in mortality risk, while a reduction of one point in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a key indicator of glycemic control, leads to additional drop of 7.6% of this risk.

According to Dr. Diallo, these two parameters act in a manner independent but complementary, thus contributing to prevent cardiovascular and renal complications often linked to diabetes.

“Our results show that for people with diabetes, even modest weight loss combined with better blood sugar control can save lives,” explains the Guinean researcher.

Interview with Dr Alhassane Diallo

UniverSciences: What was the main motivation behind this study?

Dr. Diallo: Previous work has shown that diabetes treatments reduce certain major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes, in particular by lowering blood sugar levels. However, the benefit on all-cause mortality remained uncertain, as well as the specific role played by weight loss. To answer these two relevant clinical questions, we wanted to determine whether reducing blood sugar and body weight was associated with a reduced risk of death and cardiovascular events.

UniverSciences: How can these results be applied to the Guinean context ?

Dr. Diallo: Our results indicate that the beneficial effect of treatments for type 2 diabetes on mortality is partly mediated by their effects on reducing body weight and blood sugar levels. Each drop in 1% of glycated hemoglobin reduces the risk of mortality 8 %, regardless of the effect of treatment on weight.
and every kilogram lost reduces this risk of 3 %, regardless of blood sugar. We therefore recommend that Guinean patients strengthen hygienic and dietary measures, particularly those aimed at controlling body weight, alongside medical treatment.

UniverSciences: Can we obtain the same benefits without medication, just through lifestyle?

Dr. Diallo: Pharmacological treatments and hygienic-dietary measures are complementary and must be combined to provide the greatest benefit to the patient.
In our study, the participants, aged on average 63 years, with an average body mass index of 31.2 kg/m² and an average glycated hemoglobin of 8%, were all following a health and diet regime, in addition to the drugs tested. This confirms the importance of a balanced diet, regular physical activity and of medical follow-up in the management of diabetes.

UniverSciences: What advice would you give to diabetic patients to improve their quality of life?

Dr. Diallo: Our results reinforce the national and international recommendations : controlling blood sugar and body weight reduces the risk of death within three years by 8%. Type 2 diabetes is a serious chronic disease with multiple complications. The aim of the treatment is to prevent these complications and improve the quality of life.

We therefore recommend that patients regularly monitor their blood sugar level (fasting and after meals); control their body weight and their blood pressure ; practice a regular physical activity ; respect the taking medication ; adopt a healthy diet : less salt, sugar and ultra-processed foods, more fruits and vegetables.

UniverSciences: Are you considering conducting clinical studies in West Africa?

Dr. Diallo: Yes, I really hope so. We are working to develop clinical research adapted to African realities, in collaboration with health authorities, national and international research institutes, and manufacturers.
The objective is to better understand the interactions between metabolism, obesity and cardiovascular diseases in our specific contexts.

Carried out in collaboration with the University of Montpellier and INSERM (France), this study also highlights the importance of local context. In Guinea, diabetes is often diagnosed late, due to lack of systematic screening.

“In our contexts, it is urgent to emphasize prevention, nutritional education and early detection. These are accessible and effective levers,” underlines Dr. Diallo.

Alpha Oumar Bagou BARRY