Scientific independence and objectivity: many questions linger about treatment of type 2 diabetes, such as scientific study design, optimal glucose control and the safety of injecting exogenous insulin

ABSTRACT

Whilst clinical guidelines exist for the treatment of people with type 2 diabetes, many underlying assumptions are still not qualified by convincing evidence. In this commentary, it is argued that fundamental issues still cloud clinical practice, such as biases in the design of clinical studies, the association between glucose control & clinical outcomes, and the safety of exposure to exogenous insulin and other glucose-lowering drugs. Relevant scientific evidence and alternative opinions about important issues continue to be largely ignored, and no effort has been made to resolve these questions. This may have had serious consequences, such as stifling innovation because there are no further benefits to be achieved in relation to glucose control.

KEYWORDS:

• Type 2 diabetes; glucose control; HbA1c; study design; insulin; safety

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank a couple of gentlemen who have given me support over the years, and they have explored some of these ideas with me.

Declaration of interest

The contents of the paper and the opinions expressed within are those of the authors, and it was the decision of the authors to submit the manuscript for publication.

A reviewer on this manuscript has disclosed that they are a co-founder of Hygieia INC. The other peer reviewers on this manuscript have no other relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.