Metformin use is associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis in adult women independent of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity. REDLINC IX study

Blümel J.E.; Arteaga E.; Aedo S.; Arriola-Montenegro J.; López M.; Martino M.; Miranda C.; Miranda O.; Mostajo D.; Ñañez M.; Ojeda E.; Pilnik S.; Rojas J.; Salinas C.; Sosa L.; Spritzer P.M.; Tserotas K.; Vallejo M.S.; Belardo A.; Fighera T.M.; Chedraui P. · Gynecological Endocrinology (2020) · DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2020.1718092

Resumen

Metformin may decrease cell senescence, including bone; hence we aimed at evaluating the association between metformin use and osteoporosis. This was a cross-sectional study carried out in 1259 Latin American adult women aged 40 or more who were not on anti-osteoporotic drugs, were on metformin and had a bone densitometry performed. Of the whole sample, 40.3% reported being on metformin (at least 1 year), 30.2% had type 2 diabetes mellitus and 22.6% had osteoporosis. Median (interquartile range) body mass index (BMI) for the whole cohort was 27.7 (4.6) kg/m2 and 30.2% had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Current use of hormone therapy, calcium, and vitamin D corresponded respectively to 10.7%, 47.7%, and 43.1% of all surveyed women. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the association of osteoporosis with various covariates incorporated into the model such as age (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.05–1.09), BMI (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.89–0.96) and metformin use (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.32–0.59). Metformin use, regardless of the presence of type 2 diabetes or obesity, was associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis in adult women. We propose that one explanation for this observation could be the effect of the drug over cellular senescence.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Universidad Andina del Cusco