Resumen de Investigación
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Metformin may reduce prandial insulin needs in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes

Última actualización 18 de julio de 2026

Key finding

The metformin group showed a significantly lower increase in the prandial insulin change, with 24 versus 14 IU (p = 0.014).

This study investigated the effect of metformin on insulin requirements in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, finding a significant reduction in prandial insulin needs.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Short-Term (≤3 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study investigated the effect of metformin on insulin requirements in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, finding a significant reduction in prandial insulin needs.

Clinical relevance

These findings suggest that metformin could be a beneficial adjunct therapy for managing insulin requirements in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, potentially leading to improved maternal weight management without compromising neonatal health.

Keep in mind

The study did not find significant differences in total insulin requirements. No differences were observed in glycaemic control or neonatal outcomes. The sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Published in

Referencia de la Revista

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Elina J, Kati T, Saara EM, et al. Metformin Reduces Prandial Insulin Requirement in Pregnant Women with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews. 2025;41(6):e70085. doi:10.1002/dmrr.70085

Efectos Principales

The metformin group showed a significant reduction in prandial insulin change (24 IU vs. 14 IU, p = 0.014).

Prandial insulin change per kg was significantly lower in the metformin group (0.3 IU/kg vs. 0.2 IU/kg, p = 0.048).

Weight gain control was better in the metformin group (20% vs. 40% within target, p = 0.029).

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Metformin and Bolus insulin dose, Change in prandial insulin requirement per kg, HbA1c, and 3 more.

Primary intervention

Metformin

Primary outcomes

  • Bolus insulin dose
  • Change in prandial insulin requirement per kg
  • HbA1c

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

6
Evidence pairs
6
Relationships
3
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 72

3

Related topics

6

Evidence pairs

475

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 6 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 3 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Evidencia principal

Relación de evidencia

Metformin Therapies and HbA1c

Evidencia relacionada

Relación de evidencia

Metformin Therapies and Insulin Resistance

Guardar evidencia

Tema de evidencia

Adverse Events and Safety

Guardar evidencia

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Bolus insulin dose

Metformin → Bolus insulin dose

Metformin → Bolus insulin dose

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 1 estudio
Add to Evidence Tracker

Change in prandial insulin requirement per kg

Metformin → Change in prandial insulin requirement per kg

Metformin → Change in prandial insulin requirement per kg

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 1 estudio
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Metformin → HbA1c

Metformin → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
85
Strong
ImpactScore™
82
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
67
generally_consistent
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 11 estudios
Add to Evidence Tracker

Neonatal outcomes

Metformin → Neonatal outcomes

Metformin → Neonatal outcomes

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 1 estudio
Add to Evidence Tracker

Total daily insulin dose

Metformin → Total daily insulin dose

Metformin → Total daily insulin dose

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Strong
Score 79 · Based on 3 studies
ImpactScore™
67
Slightly Positive
ConsistencyScore™
67
generally_consistent
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 3 estudios
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

La Evidencia Sugiere

  • Metformin reduced prandial insulin needs by 10 IU (p = 0.014).
  • Weight gain control was significantly better in the metformin group (20% within target).
  • No significant differences in total insulin or neonatal outcomes were found.
who this applies

A quién se aplica

  • Pregnant women diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
  • Participants who require insulin management during pregnancy.
keep in mind

Tener en Cuenta

  • The study's findings may not apply to all pregnant women with diabetes.
  • Further research is needed to explore long-term effects of metformin.
  • The lack of significant differences in total insulin and neonatal outcomes should be considered.
between the lines

Entre Líneas

  • The study did not find significant differences in total insulin requirements.
  • No differences were observed in glycaemic control or neonatal outcomes.
  • The sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Evidence Library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Metformin Therapies and HbA1c, Metformin Therapies and Insulin Resistance.

Relaciones de evidencia relacionadas

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Metformin Therapies improve HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

Metformin Therapies appears to improve HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 85.2 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 13 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.

Limitations

  • Population details are unavailable.
13 supporting studiesUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Metformin Therapies improve insulin resistance?

Strong Evidence

Metformin Therapies may improve Insulin Resistance.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Total daily insulin dose

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | weak positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 6 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.

Limitations

  • Population details are unavailable.
6 supporting studiesUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Metformin improve bolus insulin dose?

Emerging Evidence

Metformin appears to improve Bolus insulin dose.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Bolus insulin dose

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does Metformin improve change in prandial insulin requirement per kg?

Emerging Evidence

Metformin appears to improve Change in prandial insulin requirement per kg.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Change in prandial insulin requirement per kg

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026
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