GLOW UP Study: Protocol for an Observational Digital Biomarker Study for Prediabetes Screening and Digital Phenotyping
Journal
medRxiv
Type
working paper
Date Issued
2026-03-12
Author(s)
;
Fuchs, Magdalena
;
Jin, Qiuhan
;
Wirth, Benjamin
;
Bilz, Stefan
;
Brändle, Michael
;
;
Jovanova, Mia
Abstract
Introduction
Prediabetes, a key precursor to type 2 diabetes, is highly prevalent and underdiagnosed, particularly among adults aged ≥45 years with elevated body mass index (BMI). Early detection is critical because lifestyle interventions can delay or prevent progression to type 2 diabetes. The Glow Up (GLucose Observation and Wearable Use for Prevention) study aims to (1) test the feasibility of a digital biomarker for prediabetes screening using wearable– and smartphone-derived lifestyle factors (e.g., sleep, physical activity, and nutrition patterns), in daily life and to (2) characterize individual– and metabolic subgroup-level variability in lifestyle factors and glycemic control. Specifically, we aim to examine how lifestyle factors relate to diabetes risk and identify personalized predictors of early metabolic dysregulation.
Methods and analysis
Glow Up is a prospective, single-center, observational case-control study conducted in Switzerland. Adults (N=200) aged ≥45 years with BMI ≥25 kg/m² will be recruited, including n=100 individuals with prediabetes and n=100 age– and sex-matched case-control normoglycemic controls. Participants will undergo four weeks of continuous monitoring using a blinded continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and commercial– and medical-grade wearables; e.g. capturing physical activity, sleep, and physiological markers (heart rate variability, heart rate and skin temperature); in addition to completing daily image-based meal logs, using smartphones. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and body anthropometrics will be collected at baseline and follow-up, four weeks apart. Primary outcomes include HbA1c and FPG, measured at approximately four week follow-up. Secondary outcomes include CGM metrics, lifestyle profiling (sleep, physical activity, stress, and nutrition), and adherence to image-based meal logging.
Ethics and dissemination
The study has received ethics approval from the Ethics Committee of Eastern Switzerland (BASEC ID.: 2025-00972). Results will be published in international peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences as posters, presentations, and articles. Summaries will be provided to the funders and personalized reports to participants.
Trial registration number NCT07373418
Prediabetes, a key precursor to type 2 diabetes, is highly prevalent and underdiagnosed, particularly among adults aged ≥45 years with elevated body mass index (BMI). Early detection is critical because lifestyle interventions can delay or prevent progression to type 2 diabetes. The Glow Up (GLucose Observation and Wearable Use for Prevention) study aims to (1) test the feasibility of a digital biomarker for prediabetes screening using wearable– and smartphone-derived lifestyle factors (e.g., sleep, physical activity, and nutrition patterns), in daily life and to (2) characterize individual– and metabolic subgroup-level variability in lifestyle factors and glycemic control. Specifically, we aim to examine how lifestyle factors relate to diabetes risk and identify personalized predictors of early metabolic dysregulation.
Methods and analysis
Glow Up is a prospective, single-center, observational case-control study conducted in Switzerland. Adults (N=200) aged ≥45 years with BMI ≥25 kg/m² will be recruited, including n=100 individuals with prediabetes and n=100 age– and sex-matched case-control normoglycemic controls. Participants will undergo four weeks of continuous monitoring using a blinded continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and commercial– and medical-grade wearables; e.g. capturing physical activity, sleep, and physiological markers (heart rate variability, heart rate and skin temperature); in addition to completing daily image-based meal logs, using smartphones. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and body anthropometrics will be collected at baseline and follow-up, four weeks apart. Primary outcomes include HbA1c and FPG, measured at approximately four week follow-up. Secondary outcomes include CGM metrics, lifestyle profiling (sleep, physical activity, stress, and nutrition), and adherence to image-based meal logging.
Ethics and dissemination
The study has received ethics approval from the Ethics Committee of Eastern Switzerland (BASEC ID.: 2025-00972). Results will be published in international peer-reviewed journals and at national and international conferences as posters, presentations, and articles. Summaries will be provided to the funders and personalized reports to participants.
Trial registration number NCT07373418
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to practical use / society
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
medRxiv
Subject(s)
Division(s)