Metformin Use may Reduce Risk of Sudden Hearing Loss in Diabetes Patients: Study
Researchers have observed that the antidiabetic agent, metformin widely used for Type 2 diabetes, reduced the risk for developing sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in a dose-dependent manner. A recent study was conducted by Chun Huang and colleagues which was published in the journal Diabetes,Obesity and Metabolism.
SSNHL represents an abrupt and, very often, unexplained hearing loss; it has commonly been noted in individuals suffering from metabolic disorders, especially T2D. SSNHL may increase the risk in T2D patients because of various vascular complications and oxidative stress. In the treatment of T2D, metformin primarily provides glycemic control but is believed to exert other potential benefits related to its anti-inflammatory and vascular protective actions. This study aimed to investigate the association between metformin use and the risk of SSNHL, with an emphasis on strict definitions of metformin exposure and a well-matched comparator group.
This cohort study used data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, focusing on T2D patients from 2008 onwards.
• Metformin Use: Achieved ≥80% medication possession ratio (MPR) and ≥28 cumulative defined daily doses (cDDD) within three months.
• Comparator Group: Patients with ≥80% MPR of other antidiabetic medications.
Covariate balance was achieved by conducting propensity score matching. Models with competing risks accounted for mortality. Hrs, IRs and IRRs were calculated
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