Association Between Stroke Risk and Metformin Use in Hemodialysis Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: A Nested Case-Control Study

Can metformin use reduce the risk of stroke in diabetic patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Stroke and cardiovascular diseases are major causes of death and disability, especially among diabetic patients. Some studies have shown that metformin has been effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effect of metformin on stroke in type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted in Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from their inception till 1st July 2022. Randomized clinical trials (RCT) and cohort studies were included. Two independent researchers screened the records, extracted the data, and assessed the risk of bias and certainty of evidence. Findings were reported as risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). All statistical analyses were performed using the STATA 17.0 software package.

RESULTS

Analysis of 21 included studies with 1,392,809 patients demonstrated that metformin monotherapy was effective in reducing stroke risk in both RCTs (RR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.87 p = 0.004) and cohort studies (RR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.55, 0.81, p < 0.0001). However, combined administration of metformin with other antihyperglycemic agents had no significant effect on stroke risk reduction in either the RCTs (RR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.69, 1.22 p = 0.558) or the cohort studies (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.59, 1.06, p = 0.122).

CONCLUSION

Low to moderate level of evidence in RCTs showed that metformin monotherapy could reduce stroke risk in type 2 diabetic patients. However, the preventive effect of metformin in stroke was not observed in patients who received a combination of metformin plus other hypoglycemic agents.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Metformin Compared to Sulfonylureas in Diabetic Nephropathy: A Systematic Review

Metformin and sulphonylureas are the most commonly used first-line anti-diabetic agents. However, medical practice guidelines and clinical experience caution against using these drugs in severe diabetic kidney disease. Consequently, the choice of anti-diabetic medicine in various stages of diabetic nephropathy should balance the benefits and risks to the patient. We aim to synthesize available evidence on the effectiveness and safety of metformin concerning sulfonylureas in patients with diabetic renal disease. The COSMOS-E (Guidance on conducting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies of etiology) and MOOSE (Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines were followed when designing the systematic review. The present study assessed the effectiveness of metformin and sulphonylurea monotherapy regarding renal function. Studies published from 2001 to 2022 were included. We have identified 570 records from PubMed, BioMed Central, LILACS (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde), ScienceDirect, and PLoS (The Public Library of Science) Medicine databases. Eight cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies reported adjusted hazard ratios with confidence limits. Metformin was found to be more effective in the following events: all-cause mortality, GFR (glomerular filtration rate), ESRD (end-stage renal disease) or death events, one-year risk of death or end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular events, heart failure hospitalization, and hypoglycemic episodes. However, metformin was less effective in acute renal replacement therapy, end-stage renal disease, and/or death, with a one-year risk of acute dialysis. Lactic acidosis was not significant with metformin. The present study recommends that metformin therapy is safe compared to sulfonylurea therapy in diabetic nephropathy patients, provided that the contraindications given in the guidelines are strictly adhered to.

Hypoglycemia-Induced Basal Ganglia Infarct: A Rare Case of Metformin Toxicity in a Hemodialysis Patient

Metformin is the preferred agent in type 2 diabetes due to its efficacy, safety profile, cardioprotective benefits, weight loss, and accessibility in the market. However, Metformin should be prescribed with caution in patients with renal dysfunction and is contraindicated in those with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than 30 mL/min. Though extremely rare, accumulation of metformin due to poor renal clearance can cause metformin toxicity and subsequently cause lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia. The incidence is estimated at less than 10 events per 100,000 patients. Hypoglycemia has been shown to induce ischemic strokes in previous case reports; however, only one other case control study has shown hypoglycemia-induced strokes in the setting of metformin toxicity. Herein, we present a rare case of hypoglycemia-induced ischemic stroke from metformin toxicity, in a patient undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Our case report illustrates an extremely rare case of metformin toxicity that caused a hypoglycemic-induced ischemic infarct.

Valacyclovir-associated neurotoxicity among patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis: A nationwide population-based study

Whether valacyclovir-associated neurotoxicity (VAN) occurs more frequently in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis is unknown. This is the first population-based study to examine the risk of VAN associated with ESRD patients on dialysis. Among 2,284,800 patients diagnosed as having herpes zoster from 2002 to 2016, patients with ESRD on dialysis and individuals with normal renal function were enrolled in this study. Following propensity score matching, we compared the risk of altered mental status between valacyclovir users and non-users in the ESRD and normal renal function cohorts over a 30-day follow-up period. In the ESRD cohort, the incidence of altered mental status was 1.68 and 0.52 per 1,000 person-day in valacyclovir users and non-users, respectively, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 3.22 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.04–4.99, P < 0.001). The incidence of altered mental status of valacyclovir users on hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) was higher than that of non-users. The adjusted HR was 3.20 (95% CI: 1.98–5.15, P < 0.001) for those on HD and 3.44 (95% CI: 1.13–10.49, P = 0.030) for those with PD. However, altered mental status was not observed in patients on HD receiving ≤500 mg of valacyclovir three times per week or in those on PD receiving ≤500 mg of valacyclovir per day. The findings demonstrate that adjusting the valacyclovir dosage and monitoring VAN in patients with HD and PD who have herpes zoster is crucial.

The effect of chronic exposure to metformin in a new type-2 diabetic NONcNZO10/LtJ mouse model of stroke

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is an independent risk factor of stroke and previous studies have confirmed that diabetic patients and animals experience poorer clinical outcomes following stroke. In this study, we aim to determine the effect of chronic exposure of the first-line antidiabetic agent, metformin, to restore euglycemia and to impact brain cell death following stroke in a new type-2 diabetes, NONcNZO10/LtJ (RCS-10) mouse model of stroke.

METHODS

Male RCS-10 mice received a moderate (11%) fat diet post-weaning, at 4 weeks of age, and became diabetic by 12-14 weeks, thus resembling human maturity-onset diabetes. The mice received either metformin or vehicle for 4 weeks before undergoing a hypoxic/ischemic (HI) insult. Blood samples were collected pre-, post-treatment, and post HI for glucose and lipid measurements, and brains were analyzed for infarct size, glial activation, neuronal cell death, and metformin-mediated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling at 48 h post HI.

RESULTS

Pretreatment with metformin maintained euglycemia for 4 weeks but did not change body weight or lipid profile. Metformin treatment significantly enhanced the microglial Bfl-1 mRNA expression and showed a non-significant increase in GFAP mRNA, however, GFAP protein levels were reduced. Metformin treatment slightly increased neuronal NeuN and MAP-2 protein levels and significantly reduced overall mortality post HI but did not elicit any significant change in infarct size.

CONCLUSION

The study suggests that the prolonged effect of metformin-induced euglycemia promoted the microglial activation, reduced neuronal cell death, and improved the overall survival following stroke, without any change in infarct size.

Association Between DPP-4 Inhibitors and Events of Colorectal and Liver Cancers in Patients With Diabetes Receiving Second-Line Agents: A Nested Case-Control Study

Objective

Plasma dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) levels were significantly lower in patients with colorectal and liver cancers, and animal studies also showed DPP4 inhibitors (DPP4is) have procarcinogenic effects in colorectal cancer. Until now, whether DPP4is therapy affects the progression of liver cancer and colorectal cancer in patients with T2DM has not been well investigated. We investigated the association between cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD) of DPP4is exposure and risks of liver and colorectal cancers in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

We identified 268,520 patients with diabetes receiving DPP4is as second-line agents between March 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013, from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database, Taiwan Cancer Registry, and National Death Registry of Taiwan. The amount of DPP4is were divided into three groups (low, medium, and high) based on the interquartile range of the cDDD of the DPP4is.

Results

The data showed that the low cDDD of DPP-4is was associated with a reducing risk of colorectal cancer [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 0.49; 95% CI, 0.32–0.75; P=0.001]. However, the high cDDD of DPP-4is was associated with an increasing risk of colorectal cancer (adjusted OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.32–2.61; P&lt;0.001). No association between DPP4is use and liver cancer risk was observed.

Conclusions

This nested case study revealed a J-shaped association between the cDDD of DPP-4is and colorectal cancer risk, but not liver cancer risk. Therefore, the effects of long-term DPP4is use on colorectal cancer risk warrant further study.

Metformin use is associated with low risk of case fatality and disability rates in first-ever stroke patients with type 2 diabetes

Background:

To assess the effectiveness of metformin treatment on long-term outcomes in first-ever stroke patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in China.

Methods:

From August to September 2019, all patients with first-ever stroke and T2DM from 232 hospitals in China Mainland were included. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups: the metformin treatment (MT) and the no-metformin treatment (No-MT) groups. All discharged patients would receive a telephone follow-up at 12-month after admission.

Results:

In total, 7587 first-ever stroke patients with T2DM [age: median (IQR) = 66 (57–73) years; 57.35% male] were recruited. Out of those 7587 included patients, 3593 (47.36%) received MT. The in-hospital case fatality rate was lower in the MT group than the No-MT group [MT group versus No-MT group: 1.09% versus 2.30%; absolute difference = −1.75% (95% CI = −2.15 to −1.17%); OR = 0.63 (95% CI = 0.47 to 0.84)]. The 12-month case fatality rate was lower in the MT group than the No-MT group [4.72% versus 8.05%; absolute difference = −4.05% (95% CI = −5.58 to −2.41); OR = 0.69 (95% CI = 0.50 to 0.88)]. The 12-month disability rate was also lower in the MT group than the No-MT group [14.74% versus 19.41%; absolute difference = −5.70% (95% CI = −7.25 to −3.22); OR = 0.83 (95% CI = 0.70 to 0.95)]. Furthermore, the recurrence rate did not differ significantly between the MT and No-MT groups (p = 0.29).

Conclusion:

The study reveals that metformin use in stroke patients with T2DM results in a less severe stroke and lower fatality and disability rates.

Metformin use and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease: a nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

Metformin has recently been shown not to increase the risk of lactic acidosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Thus, the criteria for metformin use in this population has expanded. However, the relationship between metformin use and clinical outcomes in CKD remains controversial.

METHODS

This study considered data from 97,713 diabetes patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), and the secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality and incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

RESULTS

Metformin users had a significantly higher risk of MACCE than non-users (hazard ratio [HR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.26; p < 0.001). However, metformin users had a lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.74-0.81; p < 0.001) and ESRD (HR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.42-0.47; p < 0.001) during follow-up than non-users did. The relationships between metformin use and clinical outcomes remained consistent in propensity score matching analyses and subgroup analyses of patients with adequate adherence to anti-diabetes medication.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with metformin was associated with an increased risk of MACCE in patients with diabetes and CKD. However, metformin users had a lower risk of all-cause mortality and ESRD during follow-up than non-users did. Therefore, metformin needs to be carefully used in patients with CKD.

Prestroke Metformin Use on the 1-Year Prognosis of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background

Although recent studies have focused on the use of metformin in treating ischemic stroke, there is little literature to support whether it can treat intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Therefore, this study is aimed at evaluating the possible effects of prestroke metformin (MET) on ICH patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

From January 2010 to December 2019, all first-ever ICH patients with type 2 diabetes from our hospitals were included. All discharged patients would receive a one-time follow-up at 1 year after admission. Death, disability, and recurrence events were recorded.

Results

We included 730 patients for analysis (the median age: 65 [IQR, 56-72] years and 57.7% was men). Of those patients, 281 (38.5%) had received MET before ICH (MET+), whereas 449 (61.5%) had not (MET−). MET (+) patients had a lower median baseline hematoma volume than did MET (-) patients (9.6 ml [IQR, 5.3-22.4 ml] vs. 14.7 ml [IQR, 7.9-28.6 ml]; P < 0.001). The inhospital mortality events were not significantly reduced in the MET (+) group compared with the MET (-) group (6.4% vs 8.9%, respectively; absolute difference, −2.5% [95% CI, −3.9% to −0.7%]; OR, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.39 to 1.27]; P = 0.22). The 1-year mortality events were not significantly reduced in the MET (+) group compared with the MET (-) group (14.1% vs 17.4%, respectively; absolute difference, −3.3% [95% CI, −5.1% to −1.8%]; OR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.47 to 1.14]; P = 0.16). The 1-year disability events were not significantly reduced in the MET (+) group compared with the MET (-) group (28.4% vs 34.1%, respectively; absolute difference, −5.7% [95% CI, −8.2% to −3.3%]; OR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.52 to 1.13]; P = 0.18). Finally, the recurrence rates in those two groups were not significantly different (MET [+] vs. MET [-]: 6.4% vs. 5.9%; absolute difference, 0.5% [95% CI, 0.2% to 1.3%]; OR, 1.08 [95% CI, 0.51 to 2.28]; P = 0.84).

Conclusions

Pre-ICH metformin use was not associated with inhospital mortality and 1-year prognosis in diabetic ICH patients.

Metformin prevented high glucose-induced endothelial reactive oxygen species via OGG1 in an AMPKα-Lin-28 dependent pathway

AIMS

Metformin improves vascular function in obese type 2 diabetic patients. 8-Oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1) is a main DNA glycosylase that is involved in vascular complications in various diseases. However, whether metformin suppresses endothelial reactive species oxygen production via the OGG1 pathway is unclear.

MAIN METHODS

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to HG (high glucose) with or without metformin. OGG1 and AMPKα levels were measured after metformin treatment, while HG-induced ROS were measured by a DHE probe.

KEY FINDINGS

Metformin reduced HG-induced endothelial ROS by upregulating OGG1. Additionally, OGG1 protein expression was dependent on its mRNA stability, which was reversed by genetic inhibition of AMPKα and Lin-28. Furthermore, the effect of OGG1 on HG-induced ROS was partially dependent on the AHR/Nrf2 pathway in HUVECs.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results suggested that metformin modulated HG-induced endothelial ROS via the AMPKα/Lin-28/OGG1 pathway.

Long-Term Effects of Ketoanalogues on Mortality and Renal Outcomes in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Receiving a Low-Protein Diet

The effects of ketoanalogues (KA) supplementation on mortality and progression to dialysis in patients with pre-dialysis stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) receiving a low-protein diet (LPD) remain ambiguous. From Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database during 1996–2011, 165 patients with pre-dialysis CKD on an LPD (0.6 g/kg/day) with KA supplementation were matched with 165 patients with pre-dialysis CKD on an LPD without KA supplementation. Of the 165 patients with advanced CKD receiving KA supplementation, 34 (20.6%) died, and 124 (75.2%) underwent long-term dialysis during the study period. There was no significant difference in mortality between the KA-user group and the KA-nonuser group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68–2.93; p = 0.355). KA supplementation significantly increased long-term dialysis risk (adjusted HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.04–1.90; p = 0.025) and combined outcome risk (defined as long-term dialysis and death; adjusted HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.02–1.83; p = 0.034). KA supplementation also increased long-term dialysis risk (adjusted HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.00–2.20; p = 0.048) in the subgroup of pre-dialysis patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), but not in those patients without DM. In conclusion, KA supplementation might increase long-term dialysis risk in patients with advanced CKD receiving an LPD, but it did not increase mortality.

2020 Consensus of Taiwan Society of Cardiology on the pharmacological management of patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases

The global incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes have been escalating in recent decades. The total diabetic population is expected to increase from 415 million in 2015 to 642 million by 2040. Patients with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). About two-thirds of patients with type 2 diabetes died of ASCVD. The association between hyperglycemia and elevated cardiovascular (CV) risk has been demonstrated in multiple cohort studies. However, clinical trials of intensive glucose reduction by conventional antidiabetic agents did not significantly reduce macrovascular outcomes.In December 2008, U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a mandate that every new antidiabetic agent requires rigorous assessments of its CV safety. Thereafter, more than 200,000 patients have been enrolled in a number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). These trials were initially designed to prove noninferiority. It turned out that some of these trials demonstrated superiority of some new antidiabetic agents versus placebo in reducing CV endpoints, including macrovascular events, renal events, and heart failure. These results are important in clinical practice and also provide an opportunity for academic society to formulate treatment guidelines or consensus to provide specific recommendations for glucose control in various CV diseases.In 2018, the Taiwan Society of Cardiology (TSOC) and the Diabetes Association of Republic of China (DAROC) published the first joint consensus on the "Pharmacological Management of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases." In 2020, TSOC appointed a new consensus group to revise the previous version. The updated 2020 consensus was comprised of 5 major parts: (1) treatment of diabetes in patients with multiple risk factors, (2) treatment of diabetes in patients with coronary heart disease, (3) treatment of diabetes in patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease, (4) treatment of diabetes in patients with a history of stroke, and (5) treatment of diabetes in patients with heart failure. The members of the consensus group thoroughly reviewed all the evidence, mainly RCTs, and also included meta-analyses and real-world evidence. The treatment targets of HbA1c were finalized. The antidiabetic agents were ranked according to their clinical evidence. The consensus is not mandatory. The final decision may need to be individualized and based on clinicians' discretion.

Is the use of metformin in patients undergoing dialysis hazardous for life? A systematic review of the safety of metformin in patients undergoing dialysis

AIMS

Metformin may have clinical benefits in dialysis patients; however, its safety in this population is unknown. This systematic review evaluated the safety of metformin in dialysis patients.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomised controlled trials and observational studies evaluating metformin use in dialysis patients. Three authors reviewed the studies and extracted data. The primary outcomes were mortality, occurrence of lactic acidosis and myocardial infarction (MI) in patients taking metformin during dialysis treatment for ≥12 months (long term). Risk of bias was assessed using Risk Of Bias In Nonrandomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-1). Overall quality of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

RESULTS

Fifteen observational studies were eligible; 7 were prospective observational studies and 8 were case reports/case series. No randomised controlled trials were identified. The 7 prospective observational studies (n = 194) reported on cautious metformin use in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis. Only 3 provided long-term follow-up data. In 2 long-term studies of metformin therapy (≤1000 mg/d) in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD), 1 reported 6 deaths (6/83; 7%) due to major cardiovascular events (3 MI) and the other reported no deaths (0/35). One long-term study of metformin therapy (250 mg to 500 mg thrice weekly) in patients undergoing haemodialysis reported 4 deaths (4/61; 7%) due to major cardiovascular events (2 MI). These findings provide very low-quality evidence as they come from small observational studies.

CONCLUSION

The evidence regarding the safety of metformin in people undergoing dialysis is inconclusive. Appropriately designed randomised controlled trials are needed to resolve this uncertainty.

The beneficial roles of metformin on the brain with cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury

Cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is the transient loss, followed by rapid return, of blood flow to the brain. This condition is often caused by strokes and heart attacks. The underlying mechanisms resulting in brain damage during cerebral I/R injury include mitochondrial dysregulation, increased oxidative stress/reactive oxygen species, blood-brain-barrier breakdown, inflammation of the brain, and increased neuronal apoptosis. Metformin is the first-line antidiabetic drug which has recently been shown to be capable of acting through the aforementioned pathways to improve recovery following cerebral I/R injury. However, some studies have suggested that metformin therapy may have no effect or even worsen recovery following cerebral I/R injury. The present review will compile and examine the available in vivo, in vitro, and clinical data concerning the neuroprotective effects of metformin following cerebral I/R injury. Any contradictory evidence will also be assessed and presented to determine the actual effectiveness of metformin treatment in stroke recovery.

Association between heat stroke and ischemic heart disease: A national longitudinal cohort study in Taiwan

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between heat stroke and ischemic heart disease (IHD), in a nationwide population using a longitudinal approach. We retrospectively examined the data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan, for patients examined between 2000 and 2013. In total, 628 patients with a heat stroke episode were enrolled and matched with 1256 patients without any history of a heat stroke episode by propensity score matching at a ratio of 1:2. The mean follow-up years of the heat stroke group was 11.89 years and the mean follow up of the control group was 11.51 years. An association between heat stroke episodes and IHD (log-rank p < .001) was found in a univariate cox regression analysis. After multivariate adjustment, age, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, stroke), and lower insurance premiums were associated with IHD events in patients who had a heat stroke. IHD was independently associated with heat stroke following cox multivariate regression analysis and patients with a heat stroke episode had a higher incidence of IHD events compared to those without any heat stroke episode (2598.41/10⁵ person-years vs. 1286.14/10⁵ person-years, adjusted hazard ratio 3.527, 95% CI: 2.078-4.032, p < .001). The onset of IHD in patients who suffered a heat stroke was earlier than in those without a heat stroke episode (2.08 ± 3.45 vs. 3.61 ± 3.25 years, p < .001). In conclusion, clinicians should be aware about evaluating the IHD risk following a heat stroke episode in a patient.

Administration of oral fluoroquinolone and the risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: A nationwide population-based study in Korea

PURPOSE

To investigate the association between oral fluoroquinolones (FQ) and the risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) using a nationwide population-based study in Korea, designed to control for time-related bias.

METHODS

As a nested case-control study within a cohort, the KNHIS-NSC 2002-2013 (Korean National Health Insurance Service National Sample Cohort) data used for the investigation. The subjects who visited an ophthalmologist were included in a cohort. Subjects with infectious ocular diseases, severe ocular trauma, and congenital diseases were excluded. Within the cohort, subjects who underwent surgery for RRD were defined as cases, and controls were matched by age group, sex, and cohort entry date using an incidence density sampling method. After investigating the exposure to oral FQ, the odds ratio was calculated by the FQ exposure rate of both groups and adjusted by the confounding factors of demography, health service utilization, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

A total of 1,151 subjects in the case group and 11,470 subjects in the control group were included. There were intergroup differences in household income, numbers of ophthalmologic visits and drug prescriptions, events of intraocular surgeries, and prevalence of diabetes and degenerative myopia (all P's<0.05). The crude odds ratio of the total group was 1.06 (P = 0.53, 95% CI 0.88-1.28), and the odds ratio adjusted for all pre-defined confounders was 1.00 (P = 0.99, 95% CI 0.81-1.24). The crude and adjusted odds ratios were not showed statistical significance (all P's>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

By the nested case-control design, this study showed that oral administration of FQ was not associated with the increased risk of development of RRD.

Risks of all-cause mortality and major kidney events in patients with new-onset primary open-angle glaucoma: a nationwide long-term cohort study in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular risk factors are associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in the general population. However, long-term mortality and major kidney events in patients with new-onset POAG remain unclear.

METHODS

Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 1997 and 2011, 15 185 patients with a new diagnosis of POAG were enrolled and propensity score matched (1:1) with 15 185 patients without ocular disorders (WODs). All-cause mortality and major kidney events were analysed by a multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model and a competing risk regression model.

RESULTS

The risk of all-cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with new-onset POAG than in those WODs (adjusted HR (aHR) 2.11, 95% CI 1.76 to 2.54; p<0.001). Patients with POAG had higher risks of acute renal failure (ARF) (competing risk aHR 2.58, 95% CI 1.88 to 3.55; p<0.001) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (competing risk aHR 4.84, 95% CI 3.02 to 7.77; p<0.001) than those WODs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that POAG is a risk of all-cause mortality, ARF and ESRD, thus needing to notice mortality and major kidney events in patients with new-onset POAG.