JAMA Intern Med

Metformin, GLP-1 RAs linked to reduced asthma attacks

November 20, 2024

Metformin use was associated with a reduced rate of asthma attacks in patients with T2DM, with further reductions observed when GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) were added.

Using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), researchers used both a self-controlled case series (SCCS) and a new user cohort with inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) approach to enhance robustness. Eligible participants were new users of metformin with T2DM. Interaction analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between metabolic phenotypes (BMI, glycemic control) and asthma phenotypes (type 2 inflammation, asthma severity). Primary outcome was first asthma exacerbation during the 12-month follow-up.

From more than 2 million adults with asthma, 4,278 patients were identified for the SCCS and 8,424 patients for the IPTW cohorts. Metformin was associated with fewer asthma attacks in both approaches (SCCS: incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.68; IPTW: hazard ratio, 0.76). GLP-1 RAs further reduced asthma attacks (SCCS: IRR, 0.60). The association was consistent across different asthma phenotypes and was not influenced by glycemic control or weight loss.

Source:

Lee B, et al. (2024, November 18). JAMA Intern Med. Antidiabetic Medication and Asthma Attacks. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39556360/