SGLT2 Inhibitor or Metformin as Standard Treatment of Early Stage Type 2 Diabetes

Summary

A real-world, nationwide, register-based, randomised trial (RRCT) comparing SGLT2 inhibitors with metformin as standard treatment in early typ 2 diabetes. An open-label trial addressing efficacy with respect to clinically important macro- and microvascular events.

Timeline

Start

2019-09-05

Primary completion

2026-01-31

Completion

2026-01-31

Publications

• Eriksson JW, Fanni G, Lundqvist MH, Jansson S, Radholm K, Sofizadeh S, Patsoukaki V, Nilsson A, Lindholm D, Rolandsson O, Norhammar A, Granstam E, Eliasson B, Bennet L, Sundstrom J. SGLT2 inhibitor or metformin as standard treatment in early-stage type 2 diabetes? Baseline data in SMARTEST, a novel, decentralised, register-based randomised trial on prevention of diabetic complications. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2026 Feb;28(2):1327-1338. doi: 10.1111/dom.70320. Epub 2025 Nov 28.
• El-Damanawi R, Stanley IK, Staatz C, Pascoe EM, Craig JC, Johnson DW, Mallett AJ, Hawley CM, Milanzi E, Hiemstra TF, Viecelli AK. Metformin for preventing the progression of chronic kidney disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024 Jun 4;6(6):CD013414. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013414.pub2.
• Sundstrom J, Kristofi R, Ostlund O, Bennet L, Eliasson B, Jansson S, Leksell J, Almby K, Lundqvist M, Eriksson JW; SMARTEST study group (see list in Appendix). A registry-based randomised trial comparing an SGLT2 inhibitor and metformin as standard treatment of early stage type 2 diabetes (SMARTEST): Rationale, design and protocol. J Diabetes Complications. 2021 Oct;35(10):107996. doi: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2021.107996. Epub 2021 Jul 21.
• Gnesin F, Thuesen ACB, Kahler LKA, Madsbad S, Hemmingsen B. Metformin monotherapy for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Jun 5;6(6):CD012906. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012906.pub2.

Drugs

Indications