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 TrackerResearch Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™
Pioglitazone improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients
Last updated September 12, 2026
Key finding
HbA1c after 24 weeks treatment reduced from 7.8%±0.8% to 7.0%±0.6% (P <0.0001).
This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of pioglitazone 30 mg/day as an add-on therapy for patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes, showing significant improvements in HbA1c levels.
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 study evaluated the efficacy and safety of pioglitazone 30 mg/day as an add-on therapy for patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes, showing significant improvements in HbA1c levels.
Clinical relevance
These findings are important for clinicians treating patients with type 2 diabetes, as they demonstrate that pioglitazone can effectively improve glycemic control when added to existing treatments. Understanding the trade-off of weight gain is crucial for patient management and treatment planning.
Keep in mind
Study population may not represent all patients with type 2 diabetes. Weight gain associated with pioglitazone could impact long-term adherence. Short duration of 24 weeks may not capture long-term effects.
Published in
Journal Reference
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Jun HH, Kyung AH, You-Cheol H, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Pioglitazone 30 mg/day Add-on Therapy in Patients with Inadequately Controlled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes & Metabolism Journal. 2026;50(2):320-330. doi:10.4093/dmj.2024.0696
Main Effects
Mean change of HbA1c decreased by 0.8% with pioglitazone (P <0.0001).
51.61% of patients on pioglitazone achieved HbA1c < 7.0% compared to 22.95% on placebo (P <0.0001).
Body weight increased by 2.0 kg in patients taking pioglitazone.
Evidence network
How this study fits
Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.
Evidence Context
This study contributes evidence to Pioglitazone and Body weight, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), HbA1c, and 2 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Pioglitazone
Primary outcomes
- Body weight
- Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
- HbA1c
Primary intervention
Primary outcomes
Evidence relationships
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
5
Evidence pairs
5
Relationships
5
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
5
Related topics
5
Evidence pairs
1879
Related studies
High relevance in at least one topic
Why it is useful
- Contributes to 5 evidence relationships
- Includes primary outcome data
- Linked to 5 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
Thiazolidinediones and HbA1c
Related evidence
Evidence relationship
Thiazolidinediones and Body Weight
Save evidence
Evidence relationship
Thiazolidinediones and Fasting Glucose
Save evidence
Core evidence
Study findings
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Pioglitazone → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Pioglitazone → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Moderate
- Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 100
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 2 studies
Add to Evidence TrackerEvidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- 83
- Strong
- ImpactScore™
- 93
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 100
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 7 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 TrackerProportion of participants achieving HbA1c < 6.5%
Pioglitazone → Proportion of participants achieving HbA1c < 6.5%
Pioglitazone → Proportion of participants achieving HbA1c < 6.5%
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 Library
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Evidence Suggest
- Pioglitazone reduced HbA1c by 0.8% after 24 weeks.
- 28.66% more patients achieved HbA1c < 7.0% with pioglitazone.
- Fasting plasma glucose decreased significantly with pioglitazone.
Who this applies to
- Adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes.
- Patients currently on other diabetes medications.
Keep in Mind
- Results may not be generalizable to all demographics.
- The study did not assess long-term safety beyond 24 weeks.
- Weight gain could be a concern for some patients.
Between the Lines
- Study population may not represent all patients with type 2 diabetes.
- Weight gain associated with pioglitazone could impact long-term adherence.
- Short duration of 24 weeks may not capture long-term effects.
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 Thiazolidinediones and HbA1c, Thiazolidinediones 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
Thiazolidinediones → HbA1c
Medications
Evidence Intelligence™
- EvidenceScore™
- Strong
- Score 79 · Based on 4 studies
- ImpactScore™
- 88
- Very Positive
- ConsistencyScore™
- 75
- consistent
Supporting studies: Based on 4 studies
View evidenceMedications
Thiazolidinediones → Body Weight
Medications
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
View evidenceIncluded in these evidence collections
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
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.
Body Weight Evidence Hub
All studies measuring Body Weight
1 studies
outcome_hubMeasures Body Weight 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 Pioglitazone and HbA1c
Intervention: PioglitazoneOutcome: HbA1c
7 results
All studies on Pioglitazone and Proportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%
Intervention: PioglitazoneOutcome: Proportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%
4 results
All studies on Pioglitazone
Intervention: Pioglitazone
7 results
All studies measuring HbA1c
Outcome: HbA1c
7 results
All studies measuring Proportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%
Outcome: Proportion achieving HbA1c <7.0%
4 results
Questions answered by this study
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
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 Thiazolidinediones improve fasting glucose?
Moderate Evidence
Thiazolidinediones appear to improve fasting glucose.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a small number of supporting studies and should be interpreted cautiously.
Limitations
- Only a small number of supporting studies are available.
Do Thiazolidinediones affect body weight?
Moderate Evidence
Current evidence does not show a clear effect of Thiazolidinediones on body weight.
ConsistencyScore™: Results are mixed and should be interpreted cautiously.
Evidence caveat: The available evidence reports mixed findings.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Body weight
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 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.
Does Pioglitazone improve proportion of participants achieving HbA1c < 6.5%?
Emerging Evidence
Pioglitazone appears to improve proportion of participants achieving HbA1c < 6.5%.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
- 1
Proportion of participants achieving HbA1c < 6.5%
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.
Next steps
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