Association of Glycemia with Insulin Sensitivity and β-cell Function in Adults with Early Type 2 Diabetes on Metformin Alone

Abstract

Aims: Evaluate the relationship between measures of glycemia with β-cell function and insulin sensitivity in adults with early type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis evaluated baseline data from 3108 adults with T2DM <10 years treated with metformin alone enrolled in the Glycemia Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness (GRADE) Study. Insulin and C-peptide responses and insulin sensitivity were calculated from 2-hour oral glucose tolerance tests. Regression models evaluated the relationships between glycemic measures (HbA1c, fasting and 2-hour glucose), measures of β-cell function and insulin sensitivity.

Results: Insulin and C-peptide responses were inversely associated with insulin sensitivity. Glycemic measures were inversely associated with insulin and C-peptide responses adjusted for insulin sensitivity. HbA1c demonstrated modest associations with β-cell function (range: r −0.22 to −0.35). Fasting and 2-hour glucose were associated with early insulin and C-peptide responses (range: r −0.37 to −0.40) as well as late insulin and total insulin and C-peptide responses (range: r −0.50 to −0.60).

Conclusion: Glycemia is strongly associated with β-cell dysfunction in adults with early T2DM treated with metformin alone. Efforts to improve glycemia should focus on interventions aimed at improving β-cell function.