More evidence suggested that metformin may be protective against new-onset dementia in older adults with diabetes, a cohort study found.
Compared with routine metformin users, those who stopped the drug early for reasons other than kidney dysfunction saw a 21% higher risk for developing dementia (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.12-1.30), found Sarah Ackley, PhD, of Boston University, and colleagues.
This link was largely independent of changes in HbA1c and insulin usage, they reported in JAMA Network Openopens in a new tab or window.
Mediation analysis found HbA1c level or insulin use contributed to an acceleration of dementia diagnosis by 0.07 years (95% CI 0.02-0.13 years) 1 year after metformin termination, but by the 5-year mark had zero contribution to dementia diagnosis acceleration (0.00 years, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.02 years).
