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Metformin use is associated with reduced mortality rate from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection

Timotius Ivan Hariyanto1, Andree Kurniawan2

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Pelita Harapan University, Boulevard Jendral Sudirman Street, Karawaci, Tangerang, 15811, Indonesia.

Obesity Medicine
|August 27, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Metformin use in patients with diabetes may reduce the risk of death from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This meta-analysis suggests continuing metformin is beneficial for diabetic patients infected with COVID-19.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Research
  • Epidemiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a global impact.
  • Diabetes is a significant comorbidity linked to severe COVID-19 outcomes and mortality.
  • Metformin is a widely prescribed medication for diabetes management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of metformin in mitigating COVID-19 mortality rates.
  • To analyze existing studies on metformin's effect on COVID-19 outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted on Google Scholar up to August 3rd, 2020.
  • Articles focusing on COVID-19 and metformin were retrieved for analysis.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software.

Main Results:

  • Five studies comprising 6937 patients were included in the meta-analysis.
  • Metformin use was associated with a reduced mortality rate in COVID-19 patients (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.32-0.90, p=0.02).
  • The analysis indicated a 46% reduction in mortality risk with metformin use.

Conclusions:

  • Metformin demonstrates a beneficial effect in lowering mortality among COVID-19 patients.
  • Diabetic individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 should be encouraged to continue their metformin therapy.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019DiabetesMetforminTreatment

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