ArticleACR open rheumatology2024
Metformin in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Investigating Cardiovascular Impact and Nephroprotective Effects in Lupus Nephritis.
Article in ACR open rheumatology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- Metformin inhibits PDGFβ signaling to suppress hyaluronan and cytokine production in thyroid eye disease.Experimental eye research · 2026Article
- Targeting mTOR in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: From Immune Cell Dysfunction to Clinical Translation.Journal of inflammation research · 2026Review
- Metformin use and the risk of incident immune-mediated diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes: a population-based cohort study.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Article
- Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells in Rheumatoid Immune Diseases: Pathogenic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies.Biomedicines · 2025Review
- Diverse Applications of the Anti-Diabetic Drug Metformin in Treating Human Disease.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
- Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Insights and Therapeutic Potential.Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by widespread organ inflammation. Metformin, commonly used for diabetes mellitus type 2, has been explored for its anti-inflammatory potential in SLE. This study investigates the association of metformin use on renal and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with SLE.
methodsThis is a retrospective study. We used the multicenter research network (TriNetX) database from 88 health care organizations globally. Patients with SLE aged 18 and above, admitted between January 1, 2014, and April 21, 2024, were included. Propensity score matching compared patients with SLE on metformin with those not on metformin, considering demographics, laboratory results, comorbidities, and baseline medication use. The study assessed outcomes, including lupus nephritis (LN), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) at one and five years after SLE diagnosis.
resultsWe identified 9,178 patients with SLE on metformin and 78,983 patients with SLE not on metformin. After propensity score matching, patients with SLE on metformin had higher levels of hemoglobin A1C, whereas patients not on metformin had higher levels of urea nitrogen. When comparing both groups, the risk of developing LN (risk ratio [RR] = 1.70 [1.17-2.41]; P = 0.004), CKD (RR = 1.27 [1.07-1.52]; P = 0.007), and MACEs (RR = 1.21 [1.00-1.46]; P = 0.04) was significantly higher among patients not on metformin at one year after SLE diagnosis. After five years, the risk of LN and CKD was also higher in patients with SLE not on metformin. MACE risk was no longer significant after five years of diagnosis between both groups.
conclusionPatients with SLE not on metformin have a higher risk of developing LN, CKD, and MACEs compared with patients treated with metformin. Metformin's anti-inflammatory potential offers promise as a complementary therapy for SLE. Nonetheless, further research and clinical trials are needed to clarify its mechanisms, optimal dosage, and long-term effects.
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Registered trials
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