Comparing Pioglitazone and Empagliflozin for Diabetes Caused by Pancreatitis

Parallel-group randomized controlled trial of Pioglitazone versus empagliflozin for T3cDM: The PEP-DM Trial

NIH-funded research Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11158887

This project compares two existing diabetes medicines, pioglitazone and empagliflozin, to see which works better for people whose diabetes is caused by pancreatitis.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-11158887 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Diabetes linked to chronic or recurrent acute pancreatitis (CP-DM) often leads to worse health outcomes and harder-to-manage blood sugar compared to other types of diabetes. Current treatments for CP-DM are not always effective, and there haven't been many rigorous studies comparing different options. This project will directly compare two medicines, pioglitazone and empagliflozin, to understand which one might be a better choice for managing blood sugar and improving overall health for individuals with CP-DM. Pioglitazone has shown promise in animal models and in people with Type 2 Diabetes by improving insulin resistance and reducing inflammation. Empagliflozin is another established diabetes medication that will be compared.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be individuals diagnosed with diabetes specifically linked to chronic or recurrent acute pancreatitis.

Not a fit: Patients whose diabetes is not related to pancreatitis, or those with contraindications to either pioglitazone or empagliflozin, would likely not benefit from this specific trial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this trial could identify a more effective and safer treatment option for managing diabetes caused by pancreatitis, potentially improving quality of life and reducing complications.

How similar studies have performed: While pioglitazone and empagliflozin have shown success in treating Type 2 Diabetes, very few or no randomized controlled trials have directly compared antihyperglycemic therapies specifically for diabetes caused by pancreatitis.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.