Metformin use associated with reduced risk of frailty in diabetes patients

Metformin is also protective against age-related musculoskeletal disorders. Early identification and timely intervention of the frailty can enhance metformin benefits.

Diabetes is an independent risk factor for frailty. The condition causes increased adverse outcomes in diabetic patients. Metformin is a commonly used antidiabetic drug. The two mechanisms of diabetes and frailty are Insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. These are the main targets of metformin.

Metformin has anti-ageing potential, says research. A previous study has mentioned that using metformin improves the mean walking speed in pre-frail older patients without any history of diabetes.

There needs to be more data on the relationship between metformin and frailty. Researchers explored this association in a study. The frailty was defined as the Fried phenotype.

The study summary includes the following:

• A total of 422 patients aged more than 40 years with a history of type 2 diabetes.
• The data was collected related to general information and exposure (metformin)
• The assessments and laboratory investigations were performed.
• The follow-up period was 4.5 years.
• The primary outcomes measured were the combined endpoint of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, readmission, and death.
• Binary logistic regression analysis (to analyze association) and Survival analysis were used.
• The total prevalence of frailty was 19.4%.
• In the metformin and non-metformin groups, 13.1% and 28.2% respectively had frailty.

Metformin was inversely associated with frailty after adjustments (age, sex, duration, blood glucose levels, comorbidities, and polypharmacy).

In the non-frail group, metformin decreased the risk of combined primary outcomes.

To conclude, Metformin use causes reduced risk of frailty.

Frailty may attenuate metformin’s protective effects, so early identification and prevention of frailty progression enhance the metformin benefits in diabetic patients.

Further reading:

Liu, P. et al. Association of metformin exposure with low risks of frailty and adverse outcomes in patients with diabetes. Eur J Med Res 28, 65 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01017-6