What the trial was testing
The SURPASS-5 enrolled 475 patients with type 2 diabetes. The study was sponsored by Eli Lilly and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
A1c dropped 1.5 points more — and patients lost 7-10 kg more — on tirzepatide.
JAMA · 2022 · NCT04039503
These findings — that on tirzepatide added to insulin glargine vs. insulin alone over 40 weeks — were published in the JAMA and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 475 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with type 2 diabetes, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro for diabetes, Zepbound for weight loss) is FDA-approved and available now. It can be added safely to insulin therapy when blood sugar is not at goal. Most common side effects are nausea and stomach upset that improve over time. Ask your doctor whether it could be added to your insulin plan.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open type 2 diabetes trials
Postprandial Effect of Isocaloric Challenge Meals Enriched With Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables on Glucose Metabolism in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes in Wakiso District, Uganda
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate changes in glucose and lipid levels after consuming challenge meals enriched with selected indigenous fruits and vegetables in people living with type 2 diabetes in Wakiso district. The main question to answer is: Does the consumption of challenge meals enriched with indigenous fruits and vegetables improve glucose and lipid levels among people living with type 2 diabetes? Researchers will compare the effects of different challenge meals on glucose and lipid levels to identify the indigenous fruit and vegetable with the strongest glucose- and lipid-lowering effects. Participants will: Consume five challenge meals over 5 weeks. Visit the study site after a 5-7 day rest period to consume the challenge meal and complete the tests.
Relationship Between Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and HbA1C in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus After Glycemic Control
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an epidemic disease, with approximately 463 million persons diagnosed with it. Of those, 90% are patients with type 2 DM (T2DM). Some estimates indicate that 700 million cases of DM will be reported in 2045. T2DM develops due to insulin resistance, leading to reduced insulin secretion. DM has a number of associated complications, such as nephropathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease.