A recent study led by Steven G. Johnson at the University of Minnesota has revealed that the diabetes medication metformin may significantly lower the risk of developing Long COVID among users.

The research analyzed health data from nearly 76,000 Americans with type 2 diabetes, comparing those on metformin to over 13,000 who were not.

Among participants from the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network, 2.2% of metformin users and 2.6% of non-users experienced postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC).

The incidence of PASC was found to be 1.6% for metformin users compared to 2.0% for others in the N3C database, indicating a notable difference.

Additionally, the hazard ratio for death or PASC among metformin users was calculated to be 0.79 in the N3C database, suggesting a reduced risk.

Dr. Caroline Bramante, the study's lead author, emphasized that metformin is a low-cost and safe option with significant public health implications.

The findings were published in the journal Diabetes Care on September 17, 2024, and were funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Despite declining COVID-19 case rates, Long COVID continues to affect millions, characterized by symptoms such as chronic fatigue and brain fog.

Long COVID may arise from various factors, including small blood clots, prolonged inflammation, and autoimmune responses following severe infections.

The study was authorized by Steven G. Johnson and involved data sourced from the National COVID Cohort Collaborative and the PCORnet databases.

Using computable phenotypes, the incidence rates for metformin users were 4.8% in the N3C database and 24.7% in PCORnet, compared to higher rates for non-users.

While metformin shows promise, it can have side effects and should only be used under a doctor's prescription.