Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Metformin may prevent insulin sensitivity deterioration in adolescents with T1D

Last updated September 9, 2026

Key finding

Mean improvement in ISI ranged from 1.4% to 4.6% in participants on metformin.

This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of Metformin on insulin sensitivity in Indian adolescents with Type-1 diabetes, finding varying impacts on insulin sensitivity and risk of double diabetes.

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 pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of Metformin on insulin sensitivity in Indian adolescents with Type-1 diabetes, finding varying impacts on insulin sensitivity and risk of double diabetes.

Clinical relevance

These findings suggest that Metformin could be a beneficial addition to the treatment regimen for adolescents with Type-1 diabetes, potentially improving their metabolic health and reducing the risk of complications such as double diabetes. This is particularly relevant in populations where Type-2 diabetes is becoming more prevalent among youth.

Keep in mind

Small sample size limits generalizability. Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects. Unmeasured confounders could influence outcomes.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Chirantap O, Shruti M, Nikhil S, Chidvilas M, Vaman K, Anuradha K. Effect of Metformin on Insulin Sensitivity in Indian Adolescents with Type-1 Diabetes: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2023;27(3):201-207. doi:10.4103/ijem.ijem_46_23

Main Effects

Metformin improved insulin sensitivity by 4.6%.

Standard care group experienced a deterioration of insulin sensitivity by 14.1%.

12.5% of the Metformin group were at risk of double diabetes.

22.2% of the standard care group were at risk of double diabetes.

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Metformin, Standard face-to-face care and Insulin sensitivity, Type 2 diabetes incidence.

Primary intervention

Metformin

Primary outcomes

  • Insulin sensitivity
  • Type 2 diabetes incidence

Evidence relationships

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

4
Evidence pairs
4
Relationships
4
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

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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.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 68

4

Related topics

4

Evidence pairs

783

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 4 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • 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

Metformin Therapies and Insulin Resistance

Related evidence

Evidence relationship

Metformin Therapies and Diabetes Incidence and Prevention

Save evidence

Evidence topic

Prediabetes

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Insulin sensitivity

Metformin → Insulin sensitivity

Metformin → Insulin sensitivity

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Strong
Score 79 · Based on 4 studies
ImpactScore™
75
Positive
ConsistencyScore™
35
mixed
Supporting studies: Based on 4 studies
Add to Evidence Tracker

Type 2 diabetes incidence

Metformin → Type 2 diabetes incidence

Metformin → Type 2 diabetes incidence

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
100
Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Insulin sensitivity

Standard face-to-face care → Insulin sensitivity

Standard face-to-face care → Insulin sensitivity

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
25
Negative
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Type 2 diabetes incidence

Standard face-to-face care → Type 2 diabetes incidence

Standard face-to-face care → Type 2 diabetes incidence

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
25
Negative
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • Metformin improved insulin sensitivity by 4.6%.
  • Standard care group had a 14.1% decrease in insulin sensitivity.
  • Double diabetes risk was 12.5% in the Metformin group versus 22.2% in standard care.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Indian adolescents aged 10-19 with Type-1 diabetes.
  • Patients currently receiving standard diabetes care.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not apply to other populations outside India.
  • Further studies are needed to confirm long-term effects of Metformin.
  • The study's small size may affect the reliability of findings.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • Small sample size limits generalizability.
  • Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects.
  • Unmeasured confounders could influence outcomes.

Evidence Library

Build your 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 Insulin Resistance, Metformin Therapies and Diabetes Incidence and Prevention.

Related evidence relationships

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 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

    Insulin sensitivity

    EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Mixed | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on 9 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.

9 supporting studies

Do Metformin Therapies reduce diabetes incidence and prevention?

Strong Evidence

Metformin Therapies may reduce diabetes incidence and prevention.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Type 2 diabetes incidence

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

Why this answer: This answer is based on 3 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.

3 supporting studies

Does Standard face-to-face care improve insulin sensitivity?

Emerging Evidence

Standard face-to-face care may worsen insulin sensitivity or be associated with harm.

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

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Insulin sensitivity

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | moderate negative | 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

Does Standard face-to-face care reduce type 2 diabetes incidence?

Emerging Evidence

Standard face-to-face care may increase type 2 diabetes incidence or be associated with harm.

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

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Type 2 diabetes incidence

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | moderate negative | 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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