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BMC Gastroenterology
Published in: BMC Gastroenterology 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Metformin | Research

The relationship between the use of metformin and the risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Jian Hu, Hong-Dan Fan, Jian-Ping Gong, Qing-Song Mao

Published in: BMC Gastroenterology | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Objective

We aim to evaluate the relationship between the use of metformin and the risk of pancreatic cancer in type 2 diabetes patients.

Method

We systematically searched the observational studies on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, clinicalrials.gov, and CNKI databases, extracted relevant data, combined the OR value and 95% CI using the random effect model, and conducted a sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression to evaluate the size and stability of this relationship.

Result

Twenty-nine studies from twenty-four articles met our inclusion criteria, including more than 2 million subjects. Overall analysis showed that compared with no use of metformin, the use of metformin could reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes (OR = 0.82, 95% CI (0.69, 0.98)). Subgroup analysis showed that compared with the use of hypoglycemic drugs, the use of metformin could reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes (OR = 0.79, 95% CI (0.66, 0.94)). However, compared with no drugs or only diet therapy, metformin users might increase the risk of pancreatic cancer (OR = 2.19, 95% CI (1.08, 4.44)). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of the study, and there was no significant publication bias.

Conclusion

Compared with the no-use of metformin, metformin users with diabetes can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. More research is needed to prove it works.
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Metadata
Title
The relationship between the use of metformin and the risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors
Jian Hu
Hong-Dan Fan
Jian-Ping Gong
Qing-Song Mao
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Gastroenterology / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1471-230X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-023-02671-0

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Live Webinar | 27-06-2024 | 18:00 (CEST)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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Live: Thursday 27th June 2024, 18:00-19:30 (CEST)

WHO estimates that half of all patients worldwide are non-adherent to their prescribed medication. The consequences of poor adherence can be catastrophic, on both the individual and population level.

Join our expert panel to discover why you need to understand the drivers of non-adherence in your patients, and how you can optimize medication adherence in your clinics to drastically improve patient outcomes.

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