Can metformin relieve tibiofemoral cartilage volume loss and knee symptoms in overweight knee osteoarthritis patients? Study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, and is most frequently seen in the knees. However, there is no effective therapy to relieve the progression of knee OA. Metformin is a safe, well-tolerated oral medication that is extensively used as first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes. Previous observational studies and basic researches suggested that metformin may have protective effects on knee OA, which needs to be verified by clinical trials. This study, therefore, aims to examine the effects of metformin versus placebo on knee cartilage volume loss and knee symptoms in overweight knee OA patients by a randomized controlled trial over 24 months.

Methods

This protocol describes a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical tria

SUBMITTER: Ruan G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9124394 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature