Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 82
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 79
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 9 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerResearch Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™
Pioglitazone improves glycemic control compared to dapagliflozin in type 2 diabetes
Last updated August 27, 2026
Key finding
The adjusted mean change of HbA1c at week 26 was -0.75% with pioglitazone.
This study compared the efficacy and safety of pioglitazone and dapagliflozin when added to metformin plus alogliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes.
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
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
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 compared the efficacy and safety of pioglitazone and dapagliflozin when added to metformin plus alogliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Clinical relevance
Understanding the comparative efficacy of pioglitazone and dapagliflozin is crucial for clinicians in tailoring diabetes management strategies. Both medications can be effective options for patients not achieving target HbA1c levels, thus potentially improving overall diabetes control and reducing complications.
Keep in mind
The study did not report p-values for the outcomes. The effectiveness of the interventions was unclear due to limited data. The generalizability of the findings may be limited to the study population.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Kyuho K, Seung-Hyun K, Jae-Seung Y, et al. Efficacy and safety of pioglitazone compared to dapagliflozin when added to metformin plus alogliptin for patients with type 2 diabetes. Scientific Reports. 2025;16:1226. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-30882-w
Main Effects
Pioglitazone reduced HbA1c by -0.75% at week 26.
Dapagliflozin reduced HbA1c by -0.88% at week 26.
Insulin resistance decreased by -1.55 units with pioglitazone.
Insulin resistance decreased by -1.96 units with dapagliflozin.
Evidence network
How this study fits
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
Evidence Context
This study contributes evidence to Dapagliflozin, Pioglitazone and HbA1c, Insulin resistance, Proportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Dapagliflozin
Primary outcomes
- HbA1c
- Insulin resistance
- Proportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%
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: 72
4
Related topics
6
Evidence pairs
1067
Related studies
High relevance in at least one topic
Why it is useful
- Contributes to 6 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
Add related evidence to your Evidence Tracker
Save studies and evidence pages, organize your personal Evidence Tracker, and keep the research you care about in one place.
Primary evidence
Evidence relationship
SGLT2 Inhibitors and HbA1c
Related evidence
Evidence relationship
Thiazolidinediones and HbA1c
Save evidence
Evidence relationship
SGLT2 Inhibitors and Insulin Resistance
Save evidence
Core evidence
Study findings
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 62
- Moderate
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- 35
- mixed
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerProportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%
Dapagliflozin → Proportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%
Dapagliflozin → Proportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%
Evidence 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 TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 83
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 93
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 7 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Moderate
- Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 50
- Neutral
- ConsistencyScore™
- 35
- mixed
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerProportion 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
Supporting studies: Based on 4 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Library
Build your evidence library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
Evidence Suggest
- Both pioglitazone and dapagliflozin effectively lowered HbA1c levels.
- Similar proportions of patients achieved HbA1c < 6.5% with both treatments.
- Insulin resistance improved with both medications.
Who this applies to
- Adults with type 2 diabetes.
- Patients currently on metformin and alogliptin.
Keep in Mind
- Results may not apply to patients not on metformin or alogliptin.
- The study's findings are based on a specific population and may not be generalizable.
- Further research is needed to confirm long-term outcomes and safety.
Between the Lines
- The study did not report p-values for the outcomes.
- The effectiveness of the interventions was unclear due to limited data.
- The generalizability of the findings may be limited to the study population.
Evidence Library
Build your evidence library
Save research, organize studies, and quickly find important evidence again.
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, SGLT2 Inhibitors and HbA1c.
Related evidence relationships
Explore in Evidence ExplorerThis study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Medications
Thiazolidinediones → HbA1c
Medications
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 83
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 93
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 7 studies
View evidenceMedications
SGLT2 Inhibitors → HbA1c
Medications
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 82
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 79
- Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 9 studies
View evidenceIncluded in these evidence collections
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
SGLT2 Inhibitors Evidence Hub
All studies on SGLT2 Inhibitors
9 studies
intervention_hubContributes to SGLT2 Inhibitors evidence base.
HbA1c Evidence Hub
All studies measuring HbA1c
7 studies
outcome_hubMeasures HbA1c as a key outcome.
Thiazolidinediones Evidence Hub
All studies on Thiazolidinediones
7 studies
intervention_hubContributes to Thiazolidinediones evidence base.
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 Pioglitazone and HbA1c
Intervention: PioglitazoneOutcome: HbA1c
7 results
All studies on Dapagliflozin and HbA1c
Intervention: DapagliflozinOutcome: HbA1c
9 results
All studies on Pioglitazone
Intervention: Pioglitazone
7 results
All studies on Dapagliflozin
Intervention: Dapagliflozin
9 results
All studies measuring HbA1c
Outcome: HbA1c
7 results
Questions answered by this study
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Do SGLT2 Inhibitors lower HbA1c?
Strong Evidence
SGLT2 Inhibitors may lower HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 82.5 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
- 2
Proportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 27 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Do Thiazolidinediones lower HbA1c?
Strong Evidence
Thiazolidinediones appear to lower HbA1c.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Strong | EvidenceScore™ 83.2 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
- 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.
Do SGLT2 Inhibitors improve insulin resistance?
Moderate Evidence
SGLT2 Inhibitors may improve insulin resistance.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are generally consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Insulin resistance
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 62.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Mixed | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on 3 supporting studies with generally consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Do Thiazolidinediones improve insulin resistance?
Moderate Evidence
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Thiazolidinediones for insulin resistance.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are mixed and should be interpreted cautiously.
Evidence caveat: The available evidence reports mixed findings.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Insulin resistance
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Mixed | 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.
Next steps
Continue your research
Choose a next path through related evidence topics, Evidence Explorer views, and research summaries.
Evidence topics
Follow the topics this study contributes to.
Explore in Evidence Explorer
Open broader Evidence Explorer views for this relationship.
Related research
Read related research summaries.
Dapagliflozin improves metabolic outcomes in type 2 diabetes patientsDapagliflozin may improve RAAS markers in diabetes patientsDapagliflozin shows no long-term harm to bone health in women with diabetesDapagliflozin-linagliptin combo improves glycemic control and organ protectionCombination therapy improves liver health in type 2 diabetes
No ads. No tracking.
Focused on evidence, not advertising.
Secure & private
Your data is always protected.
Always up to date
New studies added every day.