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Metformin and Life Expectancy

Silver Hammer

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,848
Location
Bucks
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Have you seen the news article on the main site dated last Friday? A large scale UK statistical analysis study has concluded that diabetics on Metformin are likely to live on average 3 years longer than non-diabetics not on Metformin. This is in the context of diabetics on average having a life expectancy reduced by 8 years as compared to non-diabetics, so that's an additional 11 years. Now I knew it had significant beneficial effects aside from helping BG levels, but that sounds somewhat unbelievable! However as I have had no problems at all with the slow release version I am certainly going to stick with it long term - just in case it is all true,

Maxwell
 
You never know,
As you are only going to live as long as you are going to
 
Hhhhmmmmm……………….I wonder if by, “after taking other factors into account, metformin users lived 15% longer”, they mean, after removing the fact that they already have a reduced life expectancy of 8 years. So, instead of an amazing 11 year improvement the life expectancy would be 5 years less as opposed to 8?? A 3 year improvement.

A 19 year swing would have us all queuing round the block to get some metformin.

My favourite part of this article is, however, “This was true even without any clever statistical manipulation”. Makes me immediately think it’s ********!!
 
Hey - administrators! How come my last word got censored?? Clever stuff. It was only ********, that's not too bad is it? Bollock to this Big Brother system you have here!!

The word in question sounds like frolics and is often used to describe something wonderful in the context of "the dogs bollox". (see how you can get round it)
 
It definitely says 3 years longer than the control group (non-diabetics), and not 3 years longer than the diabetics average life expectancy, but this does seem a huge improvement. Metformin has been shown to help reduce the risk of some cancers and provide protection for the heart, so there may be something in it.

Can statistics be used to show whatever you want if you pick the right ones? Also everyone is not average so many factors combine in individual circumstances to decide when your time is up; for us how good has your BG control been over the years is likely to be much more relevant I would think.

Maxwell
 
About a year ago, it was announced that Metformin cured (or maybe assisted with) erectile dysfunction. How we all laughed!
Sally
 
Oh wouldn't know about that...laughs
 
let's all be thankful for each day rather than thinking about an extra few years .
 
I haven't looked up the full paper but I think that this is one of those data trawls that Prof Currie has been doing . There is a large data base of UK GP supplied information and he is retrospectively looking at outcomes. I think that there are a lot of possible confounders in this type of research .
However, you will also be pleased to know that Meformin increases the lifespan of roundworms and middle aged mice (as long as you don't give the mice too much0
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277679.php
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/264218.php
 
Well many people do think Metformin is beneficial and could protect the heart so if it does extend diabetics lives by 3 years that can only be good
 
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