SynthesisArchives of osteoporosis2026
Impact of metformin on bone turnover markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.
Synthesis in Archives of osteoporosis, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Metformin is widely used for diabetes, but its effects on bone health are uncertain. This meta-analysis study found that it reduces markers of both bone loss and bone formation. It is still unclear whether this benefits or harms bones long term, highlighting the need for larger, longer clinical studies. PURPOSE: Metformin is a widely used antidiabetic drug that has shown potential effects on bone metabolism. However, its impact on bone turnover markers remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess this effect.
methodsA comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, identifying clinical trials published up to February 04, 2026, that evaluated the effects of metformin on validated bone turnover markers. The quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Modified Jadad Scale, and Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool, respectively. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate the standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval.
resultsFourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, involving diabetic and non-diabetic populations. Metformin significantly reduced both bone resorption, bone formation markers (SMD: -1.28 [95% CI: -2.03, -0.52], I
conclusionMetformin appears to lower overall bone turnover, reducing both bone resorption and bone formation markers. However, given the high heterogeneity across studies and the reliance on surrogate biochemical endpoints rather than fracture or bone mineral density outcomes, the clinical significance of these findings remains uncertain. Larger, long-term trials are needed to determine whether metformin provides real benefits or risks for osteoporosis.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.