A study published in the NEJM Journal this week has revealed that “automated insulin delivery (AID) systems can significantly improve glycemic control in adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes.”

The 2IQP study shows that “AID systems lower HbA1c more effectively than CGM alone and increase time in the target glucose range without raising hypoglycemia risk.”

HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) reflects the average blood sugar levels over 2–3 months and is a key indicator of long-term glucose control in diabetes management.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is a technology that tracks blood sugar levels in real time, helping individuals with diabetes manage their glucose levels more effectively.

This new study aims to address this gap by demonstrating the benefits of automated insulin delivery systems over conventional approaches.

The study involved “319 adults with type 2 diabetes across 21 centers in the United States and Canada.”

“Participants were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to either the AID group or the control group, with both groups using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).”

“Participants using AID systems experienced a mean reduction in HbA1c levels of 0.9 percentage points over 13 weeks, compared to only a 0.3 percentage point reduction in the control group,” researchers found.

The study also showed substantial improvements in time spent within the target glucose range.

The mean time in the target glucose range (70–180 mg/dL) increased by 14 percentage points in the AID group, translating to "an additional 3.4 hours per day within the optimal range" compared to the control group.

Safety outcomes were also favorable, with researchers reporting a “low frequency of hypoglycemia in both groups. Only one severe hypoglycemia event occurred in the AID group throughout the study period.”

The study suggests that AID systems offer several important benefits for diabetes management.

“They can be valuable tools even for patients already using advanced therapies like GLP-1 receptor agonists or SGLT2 inhibitors.”

Additionally, the systems proved "accessible and effective regardless of patients prior experience with diabetes management technologies."

Most participants in the AID group had no prior experience with insulin pumps, and formal training in carbohydrate counting was not required for successful implementation.

The NEJM study underscores the potential of AID systems to "revolutionize the management of insulin-treated type 2 diabetes," offering hope for millions worldwide who struggle to maintain optimal glucose levels.

As type 2 diabetes continues to affect growing numbers of people globally, advancements like this could pave the way for more effective treatments, improving outcomes and quality of life for patients.