Effect of metformi̇n on malnutri̇ti̇on i̇n older adults wi̇th type 2 di̇abetes melli̇tus: A Si̇X-MONTH follow-up study

Background: Malnutrition is a common but under-recognized geriatric syndrome with a higher prevalence among the older with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition to the treatment burden, the drugs used for T2DM may aggravate malnutrition due to their side-effect profiles. The present study investigates the effect of T2DM treatment on the malnutrition status of elderly patients over a six-month follow-up. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study designed with 203 patients aged 65 years and older with T2DM. We retrieved patient data from the hospital database, including general socio-demographic characteristics, Mini Nutritional Assesment - short form (MNA-SF) scores, body mass index, T2DM treatment, and comprehensive geriatric assessment during the six-month follow-up. An advanced statistical analysis was performed. Results: The mean age of the patients in the study was 74,93±7,51, and 61.5% were female. The mean duration of diabetes was 12,97±7,12 years. 175 patients had been taken medications for diabetes mellitus. A total of 134 patients had been treated with metformin and the others had been treated with medication(s) other than metformin. It was observed that there was no drug change in the six-month follow-up of the patients, and the treatment groups were divided into three that, no treatment (n=28), those who received metformin (n=134), and those who were treated with medication(s) other than metformin (n=41). When the MNA-short form difference scores of these three treatment groups at admission and sixth month controls were compared, no negative effect of metformin use on nutritional status was found (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was determined that the sixth months of metformin treatment did not have a negative effect on the nutritional status of geriatric patients with type 2 DM. Antidiabetic treatment is planned individually in elderly patients. Although there are various concerns about metformin such as weight loss, and loss of appetite, metformin may be preferred for treatment in suitable elderly patients .Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Malnutrition, Metformin, Older