METFORMIN, commonly prescribed for diabetes, may reduce the risks of exacerbation and hospitalization in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Presented at the 2024 CHEST conference, in Chicago, Illinois, this research is one of the first to suggest that metformin’s anti-inflammatory properties could significantly benefit patients with COPD, potentially influencing treatment approaches.
The study analyzed data from 536 people with COPD at a West Virginia hospital, covering two decades (2002–2022). Researchers compared patients COPD who were using metformin with those who were not, adjusting for factors like age, gender, weight, and smoking status. Results showed that metformin users had notably lower exacerbation rates (46.8% versus 63%) and hospitalization rates (35.7% versus 51%) than non-users, with both reductions achieving statistical significance (p=0.001 and p=0.003, respectively).
The authors noted an improvement in lung function decline. Over the study period, metformin users showed a significantly slower decline in FEV1% compared to non-users (4.7% vs. 0.3%, p=0.028). Slower FEV1 decline indicates a reduced rate of disease progression.
The study authors highlighted metformin’s ability to inhibit NF-kB, a transcription factor linked to inflammatory responses in COPD. By reducing inflammation, metformin may help stabilize lung function and decrease exacerbation risk in those patients with diabetes. These findings suggest metformin could become a valuable adjunctive therapy in COPD management, although further research is needed to confirm these benefits in non-diabetic COPD populations.
Reference: Saylor J et al. Respiratory outcomes of metformin users in patients with COPD: a retrospective cohort study. CHEST. 2024;166(4):A4646.
