Association of glycemia with insulin sensitivity and β-cell function in adults with early type 2 diabetes on metformin alone

Evaluate the relationship between measures of glycemia with β-cell function and insulin sensitivity in adults with early type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). 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-h oral glucose tolerance tests. Regression models evaluated the relationships between glycemic measures (HbA1c, fasting and 2-h glucose), measures of β-cell function and insulin sensitivity. 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-h 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). 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. This Trial is registered in Clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01794143. •HbA1c and glucose levels reflect underlying β-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.•Glycemia correlates more strongly with β-cell dysfunction than insulin resistance.•Glycemia correlates better with late and total vs. early insulin/glucose responses.