Thom G, Messow CM, Leslie WS, et al. - Researchers performed a post hoc analysis of demographic and clinical data from the DiRECT (Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial) database to determine whether it is possible to predict which people are more or less likely to achieve remission at baseline or early in treatment, with reference to factors also anticipating weight loss. Participants ranged in age from 20 to 65 years old, had type 2 diabetes for < 6 years, had a BMI of 27–45 kg/m ², and were not on insulin. Remissions were common across all variables studied. Greater weight loss and being prescribed fewer diabetes medications at baseline were the strongest predictors of remission, while disease duration, fasting insulin, and C-peptide had no effect. Men were more successful at maintaining remission and losing weight over time, and they appear to be well suited to this intervention. People who suffer from anxiety and/or depression had lower success rates and may benefit from additional support in weight-management interventions. Other predictors of type 2 diabetes remission were modest, largely explained by greater weight loss, and none were powerful enough to identify people for whom remission is not a worthwhile goal. Such findings provide clinicians, healthcare planners, and people pursuing type 2 diabetes remission with reliable and reassuring evidence.