Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that affects the joints, causing pain and, in severe cases, requiring replacements of the knee or hip.

It is estimated that the annual number of total knee replacement (TKR) and total hip replacement (THR) surgeries in the United States will reach 572,000 by 2030. Unfortunately, there are currently no medications available that can prevent or reverse the progression of osteoarthritis.

According to a new study published today, commonly used type 2 diabetes medication metformin can help lower this burden and was linked to a 30% reduction in the risk of joint replacement surgery.

Researchers from China, Taiwan, and Australia conducted a study to determine if taking metformin is associated with a lower risk of needing a total knee replacement (TKR) or total hip replacement (THR). Previous research on this topic has been limited and produced conflicting results.

They investigated the risk of TKR and/or THR between those using metformin and those not taking metformin, using data from 69,706 patients in Taiwan who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 2000 and 2012.

The average age was 63, and half of the people were women. Osteoarthritis was a contributing factor in almost 90% of all total joint replacements.

According to the findings of the new study, individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus who take metformin have a significantly lower risk of joint replacement surgery, indicating that metformin may have therapeutic benefits for those with osteoarthritis.

“We found that metformin use in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,” says co-author Dr. Changhai Ding, “was associated with a significantly reduced risk of joint replacement, suggesting a potential therapeutic effect of metformin in patients with osteoarthritis.”

The authors of the study recommend conducting randomized controlled trials to determine the effectiveness of metformin in patients with osteoarthritis.

Source: 10.1503/cmaj.220952

Image Credit: Getty