Last updated July 4, 2026
Key finding
HbA1c level was significantly lower with sitagliptin than with conventional therapy (6.56% ± 0.05% versus 6.72% ± 0.05%, p = 0.008)
This study evaluated the effects of sitagliptin on carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetes patients. It found no significant change in IMT but a notable reduction in HbA1c levels.
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EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Long-Term (1–5 y)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
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Study focus
This study evaluated the effects of sitagliptin on carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetes patients. It found no significant change in IMT but a notable reduction in HbA1c levels.
The findings suggest that while sitagliptin can effectively lower HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, it does not appear to influence carotid intima-media thickness, a marker of cardiovascular risk. This is important for clinicians to consider when managing diabetes and assessing cardiovascular health in their patients.
The study design was non-randomized, which may affect the reliability of the results. The sample size and demographic characteristics may limit generalizability. Only short-term outcomes were evaluated, leaving long-term effects uncertain.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
Jun-ichi O, Toyoaki M, Masafumi K, et al. Effects of Sitagliptin Added to Conventional Therapy on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Trial. PLOS Medicine. 2016;13(6):e1002051. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002051
Sitagliptin did not significantly change common carotid artery IMT (mean difference −0.009 mm, p = 0.309).
HbA1c levels were significantly lower with sitagliptin compared to conventional therapy (6.56% vs. 6.72%, p = 0.008).
Serious hypoglycemia episodes were recorded only in the conventional therapy group.
Evidence network
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This study contributes evidence to Sitagliptin and Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), Episodes of serious hypoglycemia, HbA1c.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Sitagliptin
Primary outcomes
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
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.
2
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3
Evidence pairs
439
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Contributes evidence
Evidence topic
Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
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Related evidence
Evidence topic
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Evidence topic
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Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Sitagliptin → Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT)
Sitagliptin → Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT)
Sitagliptin → Episodes of serious hypoglycemia
Sitagliptin → Episodes of serious hypoglycemia
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on DPP-4 Inhibitors and HbA1c, DPP-4 Inhibitors and Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT).
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Medications
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies on DPP-4 Inhibitors
Contributes to DPP-4 Inhibitors evidence base.
All studies measuring HbA1c
Measures HbA1c as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT)
Measures Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) as a key outcome.
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3 results
1 results
3 results
3 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
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 11 supporting studies with consistent results and a positive effect signal.
Limitations
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Sitagliptin for Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT).
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT)
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of Sitagliptin for Episodes of serious hypoglycemia.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Episodes of serious hypoglycemia
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
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