Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42681821›Full record

ArticleDiabetes, obesity & metabolism2026

Genetic and Clinical Determinants of Variation in Drug Response in Type 2 Diabetes: Insights From the Scottish and UK Biobank Cohorts.

S Garg, R Kitchen, R Gupta, L Donnelly, E R Pearson

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Article in Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

S GargDiabetes Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5086-4744
R KitchenNovo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK.
R GuptaNovo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK.
L DonnellyDiabetes Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4902-1040
E R PearsonDiabetes Endocrinology and Reproductive Biology, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.

Funding

Novo NordiskUniversity of Dundee
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTreatment response in type 2 diabetes (T2D) varies widely among individuals. This study aimed to quantify the contributions of clinical characteristics and genetic predisposition as measured through partitioned polygenic risk scores (pPRS) to variation in glycemic response to glucose-lowering therapies. RESEARCH DESIGN AND

methodWe analysed data from two population-based cohorts: the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research in Tayside Scotland (GoDARTS) and the UK Biobank (UKBB). GoDARTS included 41 802 patients who initiated one of six major drug classes, of whom 11 615 had available genotype data. UKBB contributed 9371 individuals, including 8293 with genetic data. The primary outcome was glycaemic response, defined as the change in HbA1c 12 months after treatment initiation. Variables included demographic and clinical factors (age, sex, BMI, baseline HbA1c, kidney and liver function markers) and 14 pPRS representing T2D-related biological pathways. Linear regression models were fitted within each cohort and drug class (metformin, sulfonylureas, TZDs, DPP4i, SGLT2i, GLP-1RA), and effect estimates were combined using fixed-effect meta-analysis.

resultBaseline HbA1c was most strongly associated with glycemic response (p < 0.001). Older age was consistently associated with greater HbA1c reduction, while BMI and total cholesterol demonstrated drug-class-specific associations, with higher BMI associated with improved response to TZDs and higher total cholesterol generally associated with poorer glycaemic outcomes. Meta-analysis across GoDARTS and UK Biobank showed that higher overall T2D genetic risk was associated with greater HbA1c reduction with sulfonylureas (β = -0.46 mmol/mol, p = 0.013). Specific genetic profiles were also associated with drug responses, including β-cell function clusters with sulfonylureas (β = -0.57, p = 0.002), obesity-related variants with GLP-1RA (β = -1.49, p = 0.04), liver-lipid variants with SGLT2 inhibitors (β = -0.84, p = 0.05), and bilirubin pPRS with DPP-4 inhibitors (β = -0.69, p = 0.006).

conclusionBoth clinical and genetic factors significantly contribute to inter-individual variability in T2D drug response. Partitioned PRSs provide mechanistic insights into drug-specific pathways and have the potential to inform precision prescribing and optimise therapeutic outcomes in routine diabetes care.

Indexed as

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2Hypoglycemic AgentsAgedBiological Specimen BanksBlood GlucoseCohort StudiesDipeptidyl-Peptidase IV InhibitorsFemaleGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseGenetic Risk ScoreGlycated HemoglobinHumansInsulin SecretagoguesMaleMetforminMiddle AgedBlood GlucoseDipeptidyl-Peptidase IV InhibitorsGlycated Hemoglobinhemoglobin A1c protein, humanHypoglycemic AgentsInsulin SecretagoguesMetforminPPAR-gamma AgonistsSulfonylurea Compoundsbeta cell functioncohort studyglycaemic controlpharmacogeneticstype 2 diabetes

Identifiers

PMID42681821
PMCPMC13646362

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.