Metformin is a medication that is often used in type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise do not provide sufficient blood sugar control. In a new large study from the United States, researchers investigated the risk of developing osteoarthritis and needing a joint replacement operation if one had type 2 diabetes.

The study was based on registry data where 104,652 diabetes patients over the age of 40 had been treated with metformin and 274,494 had not been treated. The researchers found that the risk of osteoarthritis decreased by about 21-23% and the risk of needing a joint replacement surgery in the knee or hip decreased by about 10-14%.

The results are interesting as they confirm previous studies, including animal models. However, more research is needed, especially a well-designed clinical trial that more carefully evaluates the possible effects of the drug on patients. In such a study (a so-called randomized clinical trial), the risk of other factors affecting the results is reduced.

A scientific summary is available here, the page American College of Rheumatology will open in a new tab .