From September 15 to 19, 2025, I had the opportunity to attend the EASD Conference in Vienna, one of the world’s largest gatherings dedicated to diabetes. The location itself was already special – the conference center was right next to the famous amusement park Prater. As I watched the rollercoasters and heard the screams of visitors, I couldn’t help but think how similar this is to life with diabetes. It’s like a rollercoaster ride: full of ups and downs, unpredictable, sometimes frightening, and sometimes even fun.
GLP-1 agonists in the spotlight
A large part of this year’s program was dedicated to GLP-1 agonists. Although the amount of attention surprised me a little, it actually made perfect sense – GLP-1 agonists have become a true trend in medicine. They are currently used primarily in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but their use is expanding, and research continues intensively. It was clear that they are shaping a new era in diabetes therapy, and who knows, perhaps they will even find a place in the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
What about technology?
On the other hand, it was surprising that there weren’t many major innovations in diabetes technology. The only real “wow” effect came from the Syai sensor from Singapore – small, almost invisible, and extremely practical, with a great story of a small family business expanding worldwide. Rumor has it that it is already available here, but in the previous version, and as soon as those supplies run out, this little marvel will arrive. While many hoped for more technological innovations, this sensor showed that sometimes even small steps – or at least a smaller size – can make a big difference.
The power of community and networking
What enriched me the most personally were the networking events. Especially those where people with diabetes from all over the world gathered. The exchange of experiences was incredible – discussions ranged from DIY Closed Loop systems to the importance of industry and healthcare professionals listening more to their patients. There was also a strong emphasis on advocacy and collaboration with governments, because only in that way can we raise the quality of care to the level people with diabetes deserve.
An invisible group that is growing
One topic touched me deeply – care for adults with diabetes. The focus is often placed on children and young people, while adults, and especially older people, are overlooked. But the numbers are undeniable: today, 9.5 million people worldwide live with type 1 diabetes, and as many as 2.6 million of them are over 60 years old. This means that soon a large part of our community will be in their senior years – and it is right now that we must start thinking about their needs.
Final thought
At one lecture during the Dedoc° symposium, I heard a sentence that stayed with me:
“We are not just living with diabetes – we are experts of our body.”
And indeed, this year’s EASD was most defined by patients themselves. Their voices, experiences, and strength clearly conveyed the message: diabetes is not just a disease, but also a community, knowledge, and connection.
For me, EASD 2025 was much more than a conference – it was a reminder that, even though we live on that diabetes rollercoaster, we are not alone on the ride.
Author: Dr. Antonia Precali
