Metformin for Sickle Cell Patients with Diabetes

Metformin use is associated with reductions in sickle-cell–related adverse events as well as in inpatient and emergency department visits.

Metformin has been recently shown to increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels (J Hematol 2016; 5:41), which can benefit patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, whether a metformin-induced increase in HbF provides a clinical benefit is unknown.

To address this issue, investigators conducted a cross-sectional retrospective cohort study using Medicaid claims data from 2006 to 2016 to compare clinical outcomes and health-care utilization between 142 SCD patients with diabetes who used metformin and 315 of their counterparts who didn't use metformin. Patients in each group had similar Charlson comorbidity scores.

SCD patients with diabetes who used metformin had significantly lower adjusted relative risks, compared with those who didn't us…

Reviewing Author

Brady L. Stein, MD, MHS

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Hematology (Senior Editor, ASH Self-Assessment Program; guideline development)

Brady L. Stein, MD, MHS

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Hematology (Senior Editor, ASH Self-Assessment Program; guideline development)

Metformin for Sickle Cell Patients with Diabetes

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Reviewing Author