MET-PREVENT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Metformin to prevent progression of sarcopenia and frailty in older people – a randomised controlled proof of concept trial
IRAS ID
275219
Contact name
Miles Witham
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Eudract number
2020-004023-16
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN29932357
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 29 days
Research summary
This project will test whether metformin, a medicine normally used to treat diabetes, can improve physical function and prevent frailty in older people without diabetes at risk of developing frailty.
Background to the research
Sarcopenia is the muscle weakness that commonly accompanies old age. Sarcopenia is a key component of frailty - a condition where the body isn’t able to cope with a problem such as an injury, mild infection or other illness. We do not yet know how best to prevent the onset of frailty and sarcopenia. Exercise can help, and diet may also play a part. These approaches only go so far though, and new approaches including medication are also needed. Metformin is a medication that may be promising to prevent frailty and treat sarcopenia.Design and methods
We will recruit 80 older people living in the North East. Participants will be 65 years or older, and will have sarcopenia (low muscle strength) and be at risk of becoming frail (they will walk slowly). Participants will be randomised to take either a metformin tablet or a placebo (dummy) tablet three times a day for four months. Neither the participants or research team will know who is taking which tablet until the end of the trial.We will measure walking speed and other components of sarcopenia and frailty (for instance handgrip strength) at the start and after 4 months of treatment. We will also measure activities of daily living, quality of life, muscle size, side effects of medication, and a series of blood tests and stool tests to understand how metformin works to improve walking speed, sarcopenia and frailty.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0470
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion