A major new study called the GRADE study has examined how different medications work in combination with metformin, the standard first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes.
The study involved over 5,000 participants who were already on metformin and were randomly assigned to add one of four medications: sitagliptin, liraglutide, glimepiride, or insulin glargine.
Over four years, researchers tracked how effectively these combinations controlled blood sugar levels. The results showed that metformin combined with liraglutide or insulin glargine was more effective at maintaining healthy blood sugar levels than the other options.
Interestingly, liraglutide also showed added benefits by reducing heart-related complications. However, even the most effective combinations did not guarantee perfect control—around 75% of participants still struggled to stay within target blood sugar levels, highlighting the challenges of managing type 2 diabetes long-term.
The study underscores the importance of not only choosing the right medication but also making lifestyle changes, such as improving diet, exercising, and managing stress. Personalized treatment plans remain crucial, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the findings offer valuable guidance for healthcare providers and patients while emphasizing the need for ongoing research, better support tools, and innovative therapies to improve diabetes care.
