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Metformin Use in Diabetes Prior to Hospitalization: Effects on Mortality in Covid-19
Jinghong Li1, Qi Wei2, Willis X Li1
1From the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California.
Summary
Metformin use in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients hospitalized with COVID-19 was associated with significantly improved survival rates. This study suggests metformin may offer a protective benefit for T2DM patients battling coronavirus disease 2019.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a known risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes.
- The impact of T2DM pharmacologic agents, like metformin, on COVID-19 prognosis is not well understood.
- Metformin's potential role in modulating ACE2 expression, a SARS-CoV-2 receptor, warrants investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between metformin use and survival in hospitalized patients with T2DM and COVID-19.
- To test the hypothesis that metformin confers improved survival in this patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 131 hospitalized patients with T2DM and COVID-19 in Wuhan, China.
- Comparison of mortality rates between patients taking metformin and those not taking metformin.
- Multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors of survival.
Main Results:
- Patients with T2DM and COVID-19 who took metformin had a significantly lower mortality rate (5.4%) compared to non-metformin users (22.3%).
- Metformin was identified as an independent predictor of survival (P = .02).
- Out of 37 metformin users, 35 survived, while 2 did not.
Conclusions:
- Metformin use is significantly associated with improved survival in T2DM patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
- These findings suggest a potential beneficial role for metformin in managing COVID-19 in patients with T2DM.
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