Management of type 2 diabetes, 2026. A consensus report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)

Abstract

The American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes convened a panel to update the consensus statement on the management of type 2 diabetes in non-pregnant adults, published since 2006 and last updated In 2022. The target audience is the multidisciplinary healthcare team providing diabetes care in the USA and Europe. A systematic examination of publications since 2022 informed new recommendations. This update has broadened the focus from the management of hyperglycaemia to the holistic management of type 2 diabetes and its risk of associated multiple long-term conditions. Fundamental aspects of diabetes care include promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours (healthy eating, 24 h physical behaviours including sleep, and avoiding tobacco and substance use), alongside the provision of psychological support and weight management interventions. For the management of people living with type 2 diabetes, earlier use, potentially from diagnosis, of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors or/and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based therapies to offer organ protection and improve long-term outcomes in type 2 diabetes is advocated. Furthermore, earlier combination use of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1-based therapies should be considered in people with concomitant CVD, chronic kidney disease and heart failure. Finally, the ability to transform outcomes for people living with type 2 diabetes is within our grasp through the consistent, equitable and systematic implementation of strategies and therapies that are already available.