Last updated July 18, 2026
Key finding
Empagliflozin modestly reduced mean HbA1c vs placebo in adolescents (−0.35% vs 0.41%).
This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of SGLT2 and DPP-4 inhibitors in adolescents and young adults with Type 2 diabetes, finding modest reductions in HbA1c with empagliflozin.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Extended (5–20+ y)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
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Study focus
This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of SGLT2 and DPP-4 inhibitors in adolescents and young adults with Type 2 diabetes, finding modest reductions in HbA1c with empagliflozin.
Understanding the effectiveness of diabetes medications in adolescents and young adults is crucial, as this population may respond differently than adults. The modest reduction in HbA1c with empagliflozin suggests it could be a beneficial option for managing Type 2 diabetes in younger patients, potentially improving long-term health outcomes.
The study may have limited generalizability due to its specific age range. Effectiveness findings for some outcomes were unclear. Sample sizes for each treatment group were not specified.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Lori ML, Thomas D, Georgeanna JK, et al. Efficacy and Safety of SGLT2 and DPP-4 Inhibitors in Adolescents and Young Adults with Type 2 Diabetes. Journal of the Endocrine Society. 2025;9(8):bvaf085. doi:10.1210/jendso/bvaf085
Empagliflozin reduced mean HbA1c by -0.35% compared to placebo (p=0.017).
In young adults, empagliflozin showed a greater reduction in HbA1c of -1.01% compared to -0.30% with placebo.
Neither empagliflozin nor linagliptin significantly changed fasting plasma glucose or body weight.
Evidence network
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
This study contributes evidence to Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, Empagliflozin and Body weight, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), HbA1c, and 1 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors
Primary outcomes
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
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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.
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Evidence pairs
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Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence relationship
Related evidence
Evidence relationship
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Evidence relationship
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Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors → Body weight
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors → Body weight
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors → Occurrence of treatment failure defined as use of metformin and/or insulin rescue medication
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors → Occurrence of treatment failure defined as use of metformin and/or insulin rescue medication
Empagliflozin → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Empagliflozin → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Empagliflozin → Occurrence of treatment failure defined as use of metformin and/or insulin rescue medication
Empagliflozin → Occurrence of treatment failure defined as use of metformin and/or insulin rescue medication
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on SGLT2 Inhibitors and Body Weight, SGLT2 Inhibitors and HbA1c.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Medications
Medications
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring HbA1c
Measures HbA1c as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Body Weight
Measures Body Weight as a key outcome.
All studies on SGLT2 Inhibitors
Contributes to SGLT2 Inhibitors evidence base.
Latest published studies
Published within the last 2 years.
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5 results
6 results
5 results
5 results
6 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
SGLT2 Inhibitors may improve HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 83.6 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 15 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
DPP-4 Inhibitors appears to improve HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 10 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
SGLT2 Inhibitors may improve Body Weight.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Body weight
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 83.8 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 7 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
DPP-4 Inhibitors may improve Body Weight.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
Body weight
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 7 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
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