Metformin use was associated with a slower abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate (WMD -0.86 mm; 95% CI -1.21 to -0.52; p<0.01) and fewer AAA-related events (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.86; p=0.01).
Meta-Analysis (n=148,589)
Does metformin reduce AAA growth rate and AAA-related events in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Metformin use is associated with a significantly slower growth rate of abdominal aortic aneurysms and a reduction in AAA-related events.
Mean Difference: -0.86 (95% CI -1.21–-0.52)
p-value: p=<0.01
Background Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a cardiovascular disease characterized by a high mortality rate when ruptured. Some studies suggest a potential inverse correlation between AAA and diabetes patients, especially those undergoing metformin treatment. However, this relationship remains unclear. This paper offers a systematic review and meta-analysis with the objective of clarifying the influence of metformin on AAA. Methods A search for relevant articles was performed across multiple databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane and Scopus. The focus was on studies that examined the comparative effects of metformin and non-metformin treatments on AAA patients. Data from appropriate studies were consolidated to estimate the effects. Our study encompassed 11 articles, comprising 13 cohorts that compared metformin ( n = 32,250) with a control group ( n = 116,339). Results The random effects meta-analysis revealed that metformin was associated with a slower growth rate (weighted mean difference (WMD) −0.86 mm; 95% CI: −1.21 to −0.52; p < 0.01; I 2 : 81.4%) and fewer AAA-related events (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.86; p = 0.01; I 2 : 60.9%). The findings suggest that metformin may be linked to a reduced risk of aortic aneurysm. A meta-regression analysis indicated that the association between metformin and AAA growth was significantly influenced by male gender ( p = 0.027), but not by age ( p = 0.801), hypertension ( p = 0.256), DM ( p = 0.689), smoking history ( p = 0.786), use of lipid-lowering agents ( p = 0.715), or baseline diameter ( p = 0.291). Conclusion These results hint at a potential role for metformin in limiting annual AAA growth, AAA-related events, and the risk of AAA.
Dewangga et al. (Thu,) conducted a meta-analysis in Abdominal aortic aneurysm (n=148,589). Metformin vs. Non-metformin treatments was evaluated on AAA growth rate (WMD -0.86, 95% CI -1.21 to -0.52, p=<0.01). Metformin use was associated with a slower abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate (WMD -0.86 mm; 95% CI -1.21 to -0.52; p<0.01) and fewer AAA-related events (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.86; p=0.01).