Metformin Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Summary

Metformin has been used clinically for over 50 years, as a glucose lowering agent. Direct and indirect anti-inflammatory effects of metformin have been reported in animal and clinical studies, and this effect is independent of its hypoglycemic effect. Animal studies showed that metformin decreased serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level in atherogenic rabbits and decreased proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in obese mice . Moreover, metformin also suppressed osteoclastogenesis ; this may partially result from decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines that promote osteoclastogenesis in the arthritic joint. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of addition of metformin to standard disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Timeline

Start

2019-01-09

Primary completion

2020-01-09

Completion

2020-01-09

Drugs

Indications