An analysis of medical records involving over 88,000 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients has revealed promising results for those taking metformin. The research conducted by Yurilu A. Gonzalez Moret, MD, and colleagues at Thomas Jefferson University suggests that individuals with SLE who are on metformin are at a lower risk of developing lupus nephritis, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) compared to those not taking the drug.
The study highlights the potential protective effects of metformin in mitigating the progression of renal complications and cardiovascular events in individuals with SLE. Apart from its primary use as a hypoglycemic agent for individuals with type 2 diabetes, metformin has also shown other clinical benefits. Researchers have indicated that metformin exhibits antitumor, anti-aging, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. The drug is also believed to decrease immune cell activation and proliferation, proinflammatory cytokine production, and oxidative stress.
The research undertaken by Gonzalez Moret’s group involved analyzing data from the TriNetX research collaboration, which includes records from 88 institutions in the U.S., Taiwan, Brazil, and Georgia. The study included a total of 9,178 SLE patients on metformin and 78,983 non-users. Propensity matching was carried out for factors such as demographics, lab parameters, comorbidities, and medications at baseline, resulting in 7,242 metformin users being matched with the same number of non-users.
Within the first year of SLE diagnosis, individuals not on metformin were 70% more likely to develop lupus nephritis and 27% more likely to have CKD than those using the drug. The rates of lupus nephritis and CKD remained significantly elevated in non-users even 5 years after the SLE diagnosis. However, the study did not find a significant difference in MACE rates between the groups.
The findings of this study highlight the potential benefits of metformin in reducing complications for individuals with SLE. Further research and clinical trials are recommended to validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for the observed protective effects of metformin in SLE patients. Despite the retrospective design and limitations of the study, the results provide valuable insights into the broader effects of metformin beyond its conventional use in diabetes management.
The study suggests that metformin may have a role to play in managing complications associated with SLE. The potential protective effects of the drug in mitigating renal complications and cardiovascular events offer a glimmer of hope for individuals living with this chronic autoimmune disease. As researchers continue to unravel the intricate mechanisms behind metformin’s diverse benefits, there is optimism that it could emerge as a multifaceted treatment option for a range of conditions beyond diabetes.