Fang H, Xu F, Du J, et al. - In this secondary analysis of the 24‐week SMART study, researchers sought to investigate the effectiveness of add‐on saxagliptin or acarbose to metformin across different patient subgroups with type 2 diabetes mellitus, based on baseline characteristics. Based on their baseline age (< 65, ≥ 65 years), body mass index (BMI; < 24, 24–< 28, ≥ 28 kg/m²), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; < 8%, 8–< 9%, 9–< 10%, ≥ 10%) and renal function (creatinine clearance 50–< 80, ≥ 80 mL/min), randomized patients (n = 481) were classified into subgroups. As an add-on to metformin, HbA1c was reduced by both saxagliptin and acarbose irrespective of baseline HbA1c, age, BMI and renal function. Only saxagliptin, however, was effective at a stable glycemic control [fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and postprandial glucose (PPG)]. In patients with higher baseline HbA1c (≥ 8%), the effectiveness of acarbose on FPG and PPG was significantly attenuated.