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 TrackerResearch Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™
Metformin may reduce prandial insulin needs in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes
Last updated July 18, 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
Journal Reference
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
Main Effects
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.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Metformin
Primary outcomes
- Bolus insulin dose
- Change in prandial insulin requirement per kg
- HbA1c
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
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
457
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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Primary evidence
Evidence relationship
Metformin Therapies and HbA1c
Related evidence
Evidence relationship
Metformin Therapies and Insulin Resistance
Save evidence
Evidence topic
Adverse Events and Safety
Save evidence
Core evidence
Study findings
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
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
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 86
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 80
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 70
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 12 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Emerging
- Score 59 · Based on 1 study
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- unclear
- Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence TrackerPercentage of women whose weight gain was within target during pregnancy
Metformin → Percentage of women whose weight gain was within target during pregnancy
Metformin → Percentage of women whose weight gain was within target during pregnancy
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 TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Strong
- Score 79 · Based on 3 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 67
- Slightly Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 67
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 3 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Library
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Evidence Suggest
- 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 to
- Pregnant women diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
- Participants who require insulin management during pregnancy.
Keep in Mind
- 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
- 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.
Related evidence relationships
Explore in Evidence ExplorerThis study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Medications
Metformin Therapies → HbA1c
Medications
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 86
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 80
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 70
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 12 studies
View evidenceMedications
Metformin Therapies → Insulin Resistance
Medications
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Strong
- Score 79 · Based on 3 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 67
- Slightly Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 67
- generally_consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 3 studies
View evidenceMedications
Metformin Therapies → Percentage of women whose weight gain was within target during pregnancy
Medications
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
View evidenceIncluded in these evidence collections
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
HbA1c Evidence Hub
All studies measuring HbA1c
12 studies
outcome_hubMeasures HbA1c as a key outcome.
Metformin Therapies Evidence Hub
All studies on Metformin Therapies
12 studies
intervention_hubContributes to Metformin Therapies evidence base.
Insulin Resistance Evidence Hub
All studies measuring Insulin Resistance
3 studies
outcome_hubMeasures Insulin Resistance as a key outcome.
Percentage of women whose weight gain was within target during pregnancy Evidence Hub
All studies measuring Percentage of women whose weight gain was within target during pregnancy
1 studies
outcome_hubMeasures Percentage of women whose weight gain was within target during pregnancy as a key outcome.
Recent Diabetes Research
Latest published studies
recency_collection
Published within the last 2 years.
Explore more in Evidence Explorer
Jump to pre-filtered views in Evidence Explorer.
All studies on Metformin and HbA1c
Intervention: MetforminOutcome: HbA1c
12 results
All studies on Metformin and Total daily insulin dose
Intervention: MetforminOutcome: Total daily insulin dose
3 results
All studies on Metformin
Intervention: Metformin
12 results
All studies measuring HbA1c
Outcome: HbA1c
12 results
All studies measuring Total daily insulin dose
Outcome: Total daily insulin dose
3 results
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
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 86.1 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Generally Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 14 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
- Population details are unavailable.
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
Total daily insulin dose
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 79.0 | weak 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
- Population details are unavailable.
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
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.
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
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.
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