Only 12% of people with T2D meet treatment targets

Less than half of people living with type 2 diabetes meet recommended guideline targets for blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, new international research has shown

A global study involving academics from the University of Leicester has found that only 12% of individuals with the condition are achieving all three targets simultaneously, despite significant advances in therapies and updated clinical guidelines.

Supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands, the meta-analysis looked at the health data of 1.6 million people living with type 2 diabetes.

By analysing 63 studies published between 2006 and 2025 across North America, Europe and beyond, the researchers concluded that persistent gaps in care are leaving millions at increased risk of serious complications.

The results show that 44% of participants achieved HbA1c targets, 41% met blood pressure targets and 47% achieved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets, while only 12% of participants met all three targets simultaneously.

Dr Ghanshyam Kacha, lead author and Primary Care Fellow at the University of Leicester, said: ‘Our analysis shows that progress has stalled for over 25 years.

‘Despite new treatments and guidelines, most people with type 2 diabetes are not meeting key targets, [which] greatly increases the risk of serious complications, including cardiovascular problems, kidney damage and other serious health issues.’

Professor Kamlesh Khunti, Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester, noted: ‘These findings highlight an urgent need for integrated, patient-centred care and strategies to overcome therapeutic inertia, where current treatments continue despite the need for change.’

Kacha G, et al. Diab Res Clin Pract 2025;230:113001. https://www.diabetesresearchclinicalpractice.com/article/S0168-8227(25)01016-2/abstract