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The role of oral metformin in preventing and treating age-related macular degeneration: A meta-analysis

Rowan H. Elhalag, M. Mohamed, Marwan Abowafia, Marina Ramzy Mourid, Nada Mahmoud, Youmna Abourady, Paula Ghali, Momen Hassan Moussa et al.

Medicine, 2024

1,447,470 participants · 7 citations

Abstract

Background: We aimed to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of metformin on age-related macular degeneration. Methods: We searched the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. We included any randomized control trials, prospective and retrospective cohorts, cross-sectional studies, and case–control studies that investigated the effect of metformin on age-related macular degeneration in our meta-analysis with no age or language restrictions. Review manager software, version 5.4 was used to perform the meta-analysis. Results: Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis with 1,447,470 patients included in the analysis. The pooled analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the metformin group and the non-metformin group regarding age-related macular degeneration (odds ratio [OR] = 0.37, confidence interval [CI] = (0.14–1.02), P = .05). Subgroup analysis showed no statistically significant difference between metformin group and non-metformin group regarding age-related macular degeneration in present or past metformin usage (OR = 0.19, CI = (0.03–1.1), P = .06), (OR = 0.61, CI = (0.25–1.45), P = .26), respectively, The pooled analysis showed no statistically significant difference between age-related macular degeneration group and control group regarding metformin usage (OR = 0.86, CI = (0.74–1.00), P = .05). The subgroup analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the age-related macular degeneration group…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,447,470 participants or records.

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