Metformin Shows Potential to Prevent Neovascular AMD

TOPLINE:

People who take the oral biguanide metformin have a 5% lower odds of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) than people who do not use the diabetes drug. 

METHODOLOGY:

The study included 86,930 patients aged 55 years or older with newly diagnosed neovascular AMD (nAMD) and 86,918 matched controls.Data came from the Merative Marketscan Research Databases.Researchers used multivariable conditional logistic regression to identify risks for nAMD.The study included a subgroup analysis of 22,117 case patients with diabetes and 21,616 controls with diabetes.

TAKEAWAY:

Any use of metformin reduced the chances of developing nAMD by 5% (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91-0.98).In the diabetes subgroup, the adjusted odds were reduced by 8% (OR, 0.92).Increased doses of metformin correlated with further reduction of the risk for developing nAMD.In patients with diabetes who did not take insulin, the protective effect was slightly more pronounced, reducing the odds by 9% (OR, 0.91).

IN PRACTICE:

This study is the first case-control analysis to investigate the effect of metformin on the conversion to nAMD and the first to examine the protective effects of metformin dose and various hypoglycemic medications on nAMD, according to the researchers. However, the findings are too preliminary to have practice application, they noted. 

SOURCE:

Dimitra Skondra, MD, PhD, with the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, is the study’s corresponding author. The study was published in Retina.

LIMITATIONS:

The study used diagnosis and treatment codes, which could not be verified. Claims-based data do not offer insight into appropriateness of care. Data on A1c and use of hypoglycemic medications other than metformin were lacking. The statistically significant OR may not be clinically relevant owing to the large sample size.

DISCLOSURES:

The study authors have no relationships to disclose.

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