CONNECT trial: Improving outcomes in non-insulin T2D

In family medicine, clinicians are often the first point of contact for people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Many of these individuals are not using insulin yet still struggle to reach glycemic targets despite multiple therapies. As expectations for earlier, more proactive management grow, so does the need for tools that provide more actionable insights than A1C alone.

The CONNECT clinical trial—the first multicenter, randomized controlled trial evaluating continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in adults with T2D not using insulin—demonstrates meaningful improvements in glycemic management, patient engagement, and care delivery within real-world primary care settings.

A study designed for everyday practice

CONNECT enrolled 283 adults across more than 22 U.S. primary care practices over 26 weeks. Participants were randomized to CGM or routine care while continuing their usual therapies, including GLP-1 receptor agonists (~40%). Both groups had access to blood glucose monitoring, reflecting routine care conditions. Patients who were not in the CGM group had blinded CGM during the study to compare outcomes.

Moving the needle on A1C—and beyond

Patients using CGM achieved clinically meaningful improvements:

• 1.6% average A1C reduction (baseline A1C 8.8%)
• 0.9% greater A1C reduction vs. routine care
• Up to 3.1% A1C reduction in those with baseline A1C ≥10%

More than two-thirds of patients using CGM reached an A1C <7.5% and nearly half achieved an A1C <7.0%.

Beyond A1C, CGM provides visibility into daily glucose patterns. Participants using CGM experienced:

• ~5 additional hours per day in range
• 62% time in range (TIR) vs. 41% TIR with routine care
• Early improvements beginning within the first week

CGM insights help clinicians identify patterns, such as postprandial excursions or overnight trends, to guide more precise interventions.

Engagement that extends beyond the visit

Sustained engagement remains a challenge in diabetes care. In CONNECT, median CGM engagement reached approximately 97% over 26 weeks, which was more than double the engagement observed with traditional self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). This continuous feedback loop supports ongoing behavior change and shared decision-making between visits. Participants using CGM reported higher satisfaction, reduced diabetes-related distress, and improved quality of life outcomes that are critical for long-term engagement in primary care.

Integrating CGM into workflow

The CONNECT study also reflects a practical, scalable approach to integrating CGM into clinical care: 

• Identify patients with suboptimal glycemic levels
• Initiate CGM alongside existing therapies
• Provide brief education on interpretation
• Use trend data to guide treatment and lifestyle discussions
• Reinforce insights during follow-up

This approach supports more informed, efficient visits by enabling clinicians to act on data, not just review it. Find the approach—along with additional resources—in this clinical workflow.

Why this matters

CONNECT provides strong level A evidence that CGM can improve outcomes, enhance engagement, and support more proactive, data-driven care for patients with T2D not using insulin.

See the CONNECT trial summarized in an easy-to-read infographic.

MAT-15243