Therapeutic area · DiabetesUpdated September 28, 2026

EDC for diabetes trials that gets glucose data right

HbA1c in two unit systems, CGM summary metrics, hypoglycaemia events by level and daily insulin doses. Capture structures each one so glycaemic endpoints and safety tables come out of the database without recoding.

  • Hypoglycaemia log by level
  • Units fixed per analyte
  • eGFR and BMI calculated

Free sandbox · No credit card · 21 CFR Part 11 aligned

Hypoglycaemia event · HYPO-007
Subject 002-0031 · Event logSubmitted

Event date and time

12-Sep-2026 03:40

Lowest glucose

49mg/dL

Level

Level 1 (54 to 69 mg/dL)Level 2 (below 54 mg/dL)Level 3 (severe, needed assistance)

Nocturnal?

YesNo

Treatment given

Oral carbohydrate
Structured by level, ready for safety tables

What matters in diabetes trials

  • HbA1c remains the primary glycaemic endpoint in most trials, often as change from baseline at around 24 to 26 weeks. Decide whether you record it in % (NGSP) or mmol/mol (IFCC) and fix the unit.
  • CGM metrics have become standard secondary endpoints: time in range (70 to 180 mg/dL), time below range, time above range and glucose variability, following international consensus targets.
  • Hypoglycaemia is classified by level: level 1 below 70 mg/dL, level 2 below 54 mg/dL, and level 3 as a severe event requiring assistance. Record events on a log form with the level as a structured field.
  • Renal function matters for many glucose-lowering drugs. Capture calculates eGFR (CKD-EPI 2021) and creatinine clearance at entry.
  • Obesity and GLP-1 studies overlap heavily; see EDC for GLP-1 and weight management trials.

Glycaemic endpoints

HbA1c, CGM and the units problem

HbA1c is reported in two unit systems: percent (NGSP/DCCT), common in the US, and mmol/mol (IFCC), common in Europe and many other countries. Multi-country trials that let sites enter whichever their lab reports end up with mixed units in one column. Fix the unit on the form, convert at source using the lab report, or collect the value with a unit field and convert centrally, but decide before the first entry.

Continuous glucose monitoring has changed what diabetes trials can measure. Instead of a quarterly average, CGM gives the proportion of time spent in, below and above target ranges, and how variable glucose is. International consensus recommends time in range of 70 to 180 mg/dL (3.9 to 10.0 mmol/L), with targets for most adults of more than 70% of time in range and less than 4% below 70 mg/dL.

Recording CGM data in the eCRF

Raw CGM traces usually stay in the device platform or go to a central reader. What the eCRF needs are the summary metrics for each assessment period: percent time in range, below and above range, mean glucose, glucose management indicator, coefficient of variation, and the percentage of data captured (low wear time can invalidate a period). Record them as number fields with fixed units and ranges on a form placed at each assessment visit.

Local lab ranges and alerts

Capture manages reference ranges per laboratory, by sex and age, flags out-of-range values at entry, and routes alert values (for example very high fasting glucose or potassium) to the medical monitor, with acknowledgement recorded. See lab data and reference range management.

CGM summary · Subject 002-0031, Week 12

Time in range

74%

Below 70

3.1%

CGM wear

93%

Time in range 70 to 180 mg/dL74/100

Target above 70%

Time above 180 mg/dL23/100
Time below 70 mg/dL3/100

Target below 4%

Summary metrics entered per assessment period

Study build

Forms a typical diabetes trial needs

FormTypeKey fieldsBuilt-in help
Glycaemic labsVisit formHbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, lipidsLab ranges by sex and age, alert values
CGM summaryVisit formTime in, below and above range, mean glucose, CV, wear timeRange checks on each metric
Hypoglycaemia eventsLog formDate and time, lowest glucose, level, nocturnal, treatmentLevel as structured choice
Insulin and glucose-lowering dosesLog or diaryDrug, dose, units, timeParticipant diary option
AnthropometricsVisit formWeight, height, waist, hipBMI and waist-hip ratio calculated
Renal functionVisit formCreatinine, age, sexeGFR CKD-EPI 2021 and creatinine clearance calculated
Adverse eventsLog formTerm, onset, severity, seriousness, causalityMinimum dataset enforced

Between visits

Self-monitored glucose and doses on the participant's phone

Many diabetes trials ask participants to log fingerstick glucose, insulin doses or hypoglycaemia symptoms between visits. Capture runs these as recurring diaries in the phone browser, with completion windows and reminders that respect quiet hours, so the data arrives while it is still fresh.

  • Recurring diaries daily or around meals.
  • Number fields with units and range checks.
  • Compliance visible on the dashboard.
Patient diary software
Daily evening diary · Visit 1 to Visit 15
Recurring diaryDaily18:00 to 24:00Hard window
D1✓
D2✓
D3✓
D4✓
D5✓
D6Missed
D7✓
D8✓
D9✓
D10✓
D11✓
D12✓
D13Open
D14
Compliance, last 14 days92%

Derived values

Let the form calculate eGFR, BMI and waist-hip ratio

Diabetes trials use renal function for eligibility and dose decisions, and weight-related measures as secondary endpoints. Capture calculates them read-only as sites enter the inputs, so they never disagree with the source values.

  • eGFR (CKD-EPI 2021) and creatinine clearance (Cockcroft-Gault).
  • BMI and waist-hip ratio.
  • Age from date of birth.
Calculated field

BMI (Body Mass Index)

Auto-derived

Height (cm)

172

Weight (kg)

68.5

Result

23.2 kg/m²

Reference: WHO · shown read-only during data entry

AnthropometryBMIBSA (Mosteller)BSA (Du Bois)Waist-hip ratio
VitalsMAPPulse pressure
RenaleGFR (CKD-EPI 2021)CrCl (Cockcroft-Gault)
CardiacQTc (Bazett)QTc (Fridericia)QTcF from heart rate
DatesAge from DOBMinutes betweenHours between

Set up a hypoglycaemia log and CGM form

Build them in the free sandbox and enter a test event.

Build your diabetes study free

Dosing

Titration and dose data in insulin and incretin trials

Many diabetes trials titrate doses to a glucose target, for example adjusting basal insulin weekly based on fasting glucose, or escalating a GLP-1 receptor agonist in steps as tolerated. The titration algorithm is part of the protocol, and whether sites followed it affects both efficacy and hypoglycaemia outcomes. That makes dose data an analysis variable, not an administrative detail.

Capture the inputs and the decision: the glucose values the algorithm uses, the dose prescribed and the dose actually taken. When participants self-titrate, a short diary for fasting glucose and dose keeps the record contemporaneous; when sites titrate, a dose adjustment log with a reason field shows whether the algorithm was followed. Deviations from the algorithm can then be reviewed centrally rather than discovered at the end.

Hypoglycaemia as a safety endpoint

Level 2 and level 3 hypoglycaemia are key safety outcomes, often analysed as event rates per patient-year. That requires every event as its own record with date and time, not a count per visit. A log form keeps each event separate, and custom-value checks on level 3 events can raise a high-priority query so the site confirms details and assesses whether the event is serious. See the adverse event eCRF template for the SAE path.

Study build

Diabetes study build checklist

HbA1c unit fixed

% or mmol/mol per field, decided before first entry.

CGM metrics defined

Which summary metrics, which period, and the minimum wear time for a valid period.

Hypoglycaemia log

One record per event with level, time and treatment.

Titration captured

Glucose inputs, prescribed dose and actual dose, with reasons for deviations.

Lab ranges loaded

Per laboratory, by sex and age, with alert limits.

Derived values calculated

eGFR, BMI and waist-hip ratio from the built-in calculators.

FAQ

Questions teams ask before they switch

Something not covered here? Ask us directly.

What is the usual primary endpoint in diabetes trials?

Change from baseline in HbA1c, often at around 24 to 26 weeks, with CGM metrics, fasting glucose, body weight and hypoglycaemia as key secondary endpoints.

Should HbA1c be recorded in % or mmol/mol?

Either, but only one per field. Fix the unit on the form or collect a unit field and convert centrally, and decide before data entry starts.

How should hypoglycaemia be recorded?

On a log form with date and time, lowest glucose, level (1, 2 or 3), whether it was nocturnal and the treatment given.

Can CGM data go into Capture?

Record CGM summary metrics for each assessment period as structured number fields. Raw traces usually remain in the device platform or with a central reader.

Does Capture calculate eGFR?

Yes. eGFR (CKD-EPI 2021) and creatinine clearance (Cockcroft-Gault) are built-in calculated fields.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. The free sandbox has every feature with no credit card.

Glucose data your statisticians will not have to fix

Structured labs, CGM metrics and hypoglycaemia logs. Free sandbox.

Build your diabetes study free