The Effect of Metformin on the Clinical Outcome of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder, primarily affects small joints of hands, wrists, and feet in early stages and larger joints in advanced stages as well as many systemic manifestations and comorbidities. The estimated global prevalence of RA ranges from 0.4 to 1.1%. Inappropriately managed RA can lead to bone erosions, cartilage destruction, irreversible disability, loss of productivity, impairment of quality of life (QOL), and high mortality rates. Pathogenesis of RA is complex and generally involves activation of elements of both innate and adaptive immunity under influence of several cytokines and inflammatory mediators. Despite of sticking to guidelines treatments, many RA patients have many unmet needs in many disease areas including fatigue, pain, and stiffness suggesting the need for additional therapeutic options for RA management. Numerous preclinical and clinical studies reported metformin‟s anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions with its potential benefits for ameliorating RA activity. Aim of the study

The aim of the study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of adjunctive metformin use to conventional synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) in patients with RA. Patients and methods

This was a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study carried on patien