The German Diabetes Risk Score (GDRS) in action: Bridging risk stratification with cognitive behavioral lifestyle counseling

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a growing global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The recent study by Seidel-Jacobs et al. highlights the effectiveness of the German Diabetes Risk Score (GDRS) in enhancing lifestyle counseling and shared decision-making in primary care. This letter emphasizes the importance of integrating risk assessment tools with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) approaches in counseling to address both behavior and the underlying negative thought patterns that contribute to diabetes risk. Adapting such models to diverse populations, especially in regions like Southeast Asia, could improve early intervention and diabetes prevention efforts globally.