Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 51
- Emerging
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerType 1 Diabetes (T1D)Pharmacological Treatments
Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™
Empagliflozin may improve nighttime blood sugar patterns in type 1 diabetes
Last updated May 6, 2026
Key finding
In a small 8-week study of adults with type 1 diabetes, empagliflozin lowered HbA1c and appeared to improve nighttime glucose patterns while reducing insulin needs, without increasing time spent in low blood sugar.
This study tested empagliflozin as an add-on to insulin in adults with type 1 diabetes. Over 8 weeks, HbA1c improved, insulin doses fell, and glucose patterns looked better at night than during the day. Time spent in low blood sugar did not clearly increase, but the study was small and did not include a control group.
Quick read
Study at a glance
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Low
Study type
non-randomized clinical trial (non-RCT or NRCT)
Follow-up
Short-Term (≤3 mo)
Risk of bias
High Risk
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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
In a small 8-week study of adults with type 1 diabetes, empagliflozin lowered HbA1c and appeared to improve nighttime glucose patterns while reducing insulin needs, without increasing time spent in low blood sugar.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Perkins BA, Cherney DZI, Soleymanlou N, et al. Diurnal Glycemic Patterns during an 8-Week Open-Label Proof-of-Concept Trial of Empagliflozin in Type 1 Diabetes. PLoS One. 2015;10(11):e0141085. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0141085
Main Effects
HbA1c ↓ from 8.03% to 7.62% during treatment
Blood glucose patterns improved more at night than during the day
Total daily insulin dose ↓ by about 17%, mainly from lower basal insulin
Evidence network
How this study fits
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
Evidence Context
This study contributes evidence to Empagliflozin and Blood glucose, Glucose variability, HbA1c, and 3 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Empagliflozin
Primary outcomes
- Blood glucose
- Glucose variability
- HbA1c
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Evidence relationships
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
6
Evidence pairs
6
Relationships
4
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: 54
4
Related topics
6
Evidence pairs
503
Related studies
High relevance in at least one topic
Why it is useful
- Contributes to 6 evidence relationships
- Uses a randomized study design signal
- Linked to 4 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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Primary evidence
Evidence relationship
SGLT2 Inhibitors and HbA1c
Related evidence
Evidence relationship
SGLT2 Inhibitors and Hypoglycemia
Save evidence
Evidence relationship
SGLT2 Inhibitors and CGM Time in Range
Save evidence
Core evidence
Study findings
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 51
- Emerging
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 74
- Moderate
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- 67
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 3 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 64
- Moderate
- ImpactScore™
- 52
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 64
- Moderate
- ImpactScore™
- 79
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerTotal daily insulin dose
Empagliflozin → Total daily insulin dose
Empagliflozin → Total daily insulin dose
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 51
- Emerging
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Library
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Evidence Suggest
- Continuous glucose monitoring showed modest improvement during treatment and worsening after empagliflozin was stopped
- Nighttime glycemic exposure fell more than daytime exposure during treatment
- Time spent in low glucose did not clearly increase during treatment
Who this applies to
This study involved adults with type 1 diabetes who were normotensive and normoalbuminuric, with HbA1c between 6.5% and 11.0%. About two-thirds used insulin pumps and one-third used multiple daily injections. The findings may be most relevant to relatively young adults with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes receiving intensive insulin therapy.
Keep in Mind
This study does not prove that empagliflozin is broadly safe or effective for all people with type 1 diabetes. It was industry funded, open label, and exploratory. The paper also gives limited information here on uncommon but important risks such as ketoacidosis. Any use of this kind of therapy in type 1 diabetes needs careful clinical supervision and individualized insulin adjustment.
Between the Lines
- Single-arm open-label design with no control group
- Small sample size of 40 participants
- Most CGM findings were trends rather than strong between-period effects
- Short treatment and follow-up periods
Connected Evidence
Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.
Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on SGLT2 Inhibitors and HbA1c, SGLT2 Inhibitors and Hypoglycemia.
Related evidence relationships
Explore in Evidence ExplorerThis study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Medications
SGLT2 Inhibitors → HbA1c
Medications
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 74
- Moderate
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- 67
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 3 studies
View evidenceMedications
SGLT2 Inhibitors → Hypoglycemia
Medications
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 64
- Moderate
- ImpactScore™
- 52
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
View evidenceIncluded in these evidence collections
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
HbA1c Evidence Hub
All studies measuring HbA1c
3 studies
outcome_hubMeasures HbA1c as a key outcome.
SGLT2 Inhibitors Evidence Hub
All studies on SGLT2 Inhibitors
3 studies
intervention_hubContributes to SGLT2 Inhibitors evidence base.
Hypoglycemia Evidence Hub
All studies measuring Hypoglycemia
2 studies
outcome_hubMeasures Hypoglycemia as a key outcome.
Explore more in Evidence Explorer
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
All studies on Empagliflozin and HbA1c
Intervention: EmpagliflozinOutcome: HbA1c
3 results
All studies on Empagliflozin and Hypoglycemia events
Intervention: EmpagliflozinOutcome: Hypoglycemia events
2 results
All studies on Empagliflozin
Intervention: Empagliflozin
3 results
All studies measuring HbA1c
Outcome: HbA1c
3 results
All studies measuring Hypoglycemia events
Outcome: Hypoglycemia events
2 results
Questions answered by this study
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Does SGLT2 Inhibitors improve HbA1c?
Strong Evidence
SGLT2 Inhibitors may improve HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 74.4 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 9 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
- Population details are unavailable.
Does SGLT2 Inhibitors affect hypoglycemia?
Moderate Evidence
SGLT2 Inhibitors may improve Hypoglycemia.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Hypoglycemia events
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 64.3 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 3 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
- Population details are unavailable.
Does SGLT2 Inhibitors improve cgm time in range?
Moderate Evidence
SGLT2 Inhibitors appears to improve CGM Time in Range.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Time in range
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 64.3 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 3 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
- Population details are unavailable.
Does SGLT2 Inhibitors improve fasting glucose?
Moderate Evidence
SGLT2 Inhibitors may improve Fasting Glucose.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Blood glucose
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 50.7 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 4 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
- Population details are unavailable.
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