Metformin × adverse events & safety

SynthesisTherapeutic innovation & regulatory science2024

The Effect of Antihyperglycemic Medications on COVID-19: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review from Observational Studies.

Zhi-Hui Song et al.PubMed ↗Publisher ↗

What moved togetherboth groups pooled, not the treatment’s effect

Correlation, not cause

Went with fewer deaths

−34%−42% to −26%

Bigger than 8 in 10 for all-cause mortality

As reported

OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58–0.74 · the paper's word: All-cause mortality

Correlation, not cause

Went with lower glycemic control

−27%−41% to −9%

Bigger than 3 in 10 for glycemic control

As reported

OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.59–0.91

Correlation, not cause

Went with lower glycemic control

−23%−31% to −13%

Bigger than 2 in 10 for glycemic control

As reported

OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.69–0.87

+5 more in the walkthrough ↓

Eight numbers in the abstract

the abstract, start to end

Metformin (OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.58-0.74; p < 0.05), Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1ra) (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.59-0.91; p < 0.05), and sodium-dependent glucose transporters 2 inhibitor (SGLT 2i) (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.69-0.87; p < 0.05) were associated with lower mortality risk, while insulin was associated with increased mortality risk (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.26-1.55; p < 0.05).

What's more, metformin (OR 0.77; 95% CI 0.62-0.96; p < 0.05), GLP-1ra (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.81-0.92; p < 0.05), and SGLT 2i (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.79-0.97; p < 0.05) were also associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization, but insulin were associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.12-1.52; p < 0.05).

← favours treatmentfavours comparator →
could be chance
All-cause mortality
OR 0.660.58–0.74
Glycemic control
OR 0.730.59–0.91
Glycemic control
OR 0.770.69–0.87
All-cause mortality
OR 1.401.26–1.55
Adverse events & safety
OR 0.770.62–0.96
Adverse events & safety
OR 0.860.81–0.92
Adverse events & safety
OR 0.870.79–0.97
Adverse events & safety
OR 1.311.12–1.52
MetforminGlycemic controlAll-cause mortalityAdverse events & safety
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3 papers cite it

2024
2025
2026
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Full record →Abstract, authors, funding and every citing paper · PMID 38683419