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Annals of Family Medicine 2005We wanted to determine whether metformin is an effective medication for treatment of overweight or obese adults who do not have diabetes mellitus or polycystic ovary... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
We wanted to determine whether metformin is an effective medication for treatment of overweight or obese adults who do not have diabetes mellitus or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE (1966-2003), EMBASE (1986-2003), Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (1985-2003), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-2003), the Cochrane Library, American College of Physicians Journal Club, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, reference lists of retrieved articles, and articles by selected authors and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Inclusion criteria were being obese or overweight determined by a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or greater or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) of more than 0.8, metformin use, and aged 18 years or older. Exclusion criteria were a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovarian syndrome or descriptors of polycystic ovarian syndrome, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and concomitant antipsychotic medications. Trials were graded on an 11-point Jadad scale. Only randomized controlled and blinded trials were accepted. Two reviewers independently extracted data from each trial. Primary outcomes measured were changes in BMI, WHR, and weight.
RESULTS
Fifty-seven potentially relevant studies were initially identified; 48 were excluded because of lack of randomization, lack of blinding, failure to meet inclusion or exclusion criteria, inaccessible outcomes, or improper study design. Nine clinical trials met criteria for validity assessment. Four studies used the parameter of waist-to-hip ratio, 3 studies included BMI, and 8 used weight. Two of the 9 studies showed a small reduction in WHR.
CONCLUSION
Insufficient evidence exists for the use of metformin as treatment of overweight or obese adults who do not have diabetes mellitus or polycystic ovary syndrome. Further studies are needed to answer this clinical question.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Metformin; Obesity; Overweight; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 16189063
DOI: 10.1370/afm.343 -
International Journal of Rheumatology 2013This paper assessed the burden of adverse events (AEs) associated with azathioprine (AZA), cyclophosphamide (CYC), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), methotrexate (MTX), and...
Adverse event burden, resource use, and costs associated with immunosuppressant medications for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic literature review.
This paper assessed the burden of adverse events (AEs) associated with azathioprine (AZA), cyclophosphamide (CYC), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), methotrexate (MTX), and cyclosporine (CsA) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Thirty-eight publications were included. Incidence of AEs ranged from 42.8% to 97.3%. Common AEs included infections (2.4-77%), gastrointestinal AEs (3.2-66.7%), and amenorrhea and/or ovarian complications (0-71%). More hematological cytopenias were associated with AZA (14 episodes) than MMF (2 episodes). CYC was associated with more infections than MMF (40-77% versus 12.5-32%, resp.) or AZA (17-77% versus 11-29%, resp.). Rates of hospitalized infections were similar between MMF and AZA patients, but higher for those taking CYC. There were more gynecological toxicities with CYC than MMF (32-36% versus 3.6-6%, resp.) or AZA (32-71% versus 8-18%, resp.). Discontinuation rates due to AEs were 0-44.4% across these medications. In summary, the incidence of AEs associated with SLE immunosuppressants was consistently high as reported in the literature; discontinuations due to these AEs were similar across treatments. Studies on the economic impact of these AEs were sparse and warrant further study. This paper highlights the need for more treatment options with better safety profiles.
PubMed: 23762067
DOI: 10.1155/2013/347520