Resumen de Investigación
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Pioglitazone improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients

Última actualización 12 de septiembre de 2026

Key finding

HbA1c after 24 weeks treatment reduced from 7.8%±0.8% to 7.0%±0.6% (P <0.0001).

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of pioglitazone 30 mg/day as an add-on therapy for patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes, showing significant improvements in HbA1c levels.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 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 evaluated the efficacy and safety of pioglitazone 30 mg/day as an add-on therapy for patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes, showing significant improvements in HbA1c levels.

Clinical relevance

These findings are important for clinicians treating patients with type 2 diabetes, as they demonstrate that pioglitazone can effectively improve glycemic control when added to existing treatments. Understanding the trade-off of weight gain is crucial for patient management and treatment planning.

Keep in mind

Study population may not represent all patients with type 2 diabetes. Weight gain associated with pioglitazone could impact long-term adherence. Short duration of 24 weeks may not capture long-term effects.

Published in

Referencia de la Revista

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Jun HH, Kyung AH, You-Cheol H, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Pioglitazone 30 mg/day Add-on Therapy in Patients with Inadequately Controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes & Metabolism Journal. 2026;50(2):320-330. doi:10.4093/dmj.2024.0696

Efectos Principales

Mean change of HbA1c decreased by 0.8% with pioglitazone (P <0.0001).

51.61% of patients on pioglitazone achieved HbA1c < 7.0% compared to 22.95% on placebo (P <0.0001).

Body weight increased by 2.0 kg in patients taking pioglitazone.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Pioglitazone and Body weight, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), HbA1c, and 2 more.

Primary intervention

Pioglitazone

Primary outcomes

  • Body weight
  • Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
  • HbA1c

Evidence relationships

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

5
Evidence pairs
5
Relationships
5
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

5

Related topics

5

Evidence pairs

1879

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 5 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 5 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Evidencia principal

Relación de evidencia

Thiazolidinediones and HbA1c

Evidencia relacionada

Relación de evidencia

Thiazolidinediones and Body Weight

Guardar evidencia

Relación de evidencia

Thiazolidinediones and Fasting Glucose

Guardar evidencia

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Body weight

Pioglitazone → Body weight

Pioglitazone → Body weight

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

Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Pioglitazone → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Pioglitazone → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 2 estudios
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Pioglitazone → HbA1c

Pioglitazone → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
83
Strong
ImpactScore™
93
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
100
consistent
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 7 estudios
Add to Evidence Tracker

Proportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%

Pioglitazone → Proportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%

Pioglitazone → Proportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Strong
Score 79 · Based on 4 studies
ImpactScore™
88
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
75
consistent
Estudios de apoyo: Basado en 4 estudios
Add to Evidence Tracker

Proportion of participants achieving HbA1c < 6.5%

Pioglitazone → Proportion of participants achieving HbA1c < 6.5%

Pioglitazone → Proportion of participants achieving HbA1c < 6.5%

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

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

La Evidencia Sugiere

  • Pioglitazone reduced HbA1c by 0.8% after 24 weeks.
  • 28.66% more patients achieved HbA1c < 7.0% with pioglitazone.
  • Fasting plasma glucose decreased significantly with pioglitazone.
who this applies

A quién se aplica

  • Adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes.
  • Patients currently on other diabetes medications.
keep in mind

Tener en Cuenta

  • Results may not be generalizable to all demographics.
  • The study did not assess long-term safety beyond 24 weeks.
  • Weight gain could be a concern for some patients.
between the lines

Entre Líneas

  • Study population may not represent all patients with type 2 diabetes.
  • Weight gain associated with pioglitazone could impact long-term adherence.
  • Short duration of 24 weeks may not capture long-term effects.

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 Thiazolidinediones and HbA1c, Thiazolidinediones and HbA1c.

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™.

Do Thiazolidinediones lower HbA1c?

Strong Evidence

Thiazolidinediones appear to lower HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 83.2 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

  2. 2

    Proportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 8 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.

8 supporting studies

Do Thiazolidinediones improve fasting glucose?

Moderate Evidence

Thiazolidinediones appear to improve fasting glucose.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

    EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a small number of supporting studies and should be interpreted cautiously.

Limitations

  • Only a small number of supporting studies are available.
2 supporting studies

Do Thiazolidinediones affect body weight?

Moderate Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear effect of Thiazolidinediones on body weight.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are mixed and should be interpreted cautiously.

Evidence caveat: The available evidence reports mixed findings.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Body weight

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is cautious because the available studies report mixed findings.

Limitations

  • Only a small number of supporting studies are available.
2 supporting studies

Does Pioglitazone improve proportion of participants achieving HbA1c < 6.5%?

Emerging Evidence

Pioglitazone appears to improve proportion of participants achieving HbA1c < 6.5%.

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

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Proportion of participants achieving HbA1c < 6.5%

    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.
1 supporting study
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