Investigating the effect of metformin on disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus

study aimed to investigate the effect of metformin on disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. This randomized clinical trial involved known systemic lupus erythematosus patients based on American college of Rheumatology criteria, from Golestan hospital's clinic and Ahvaz University Center's rheumatology office. Disease activity was measured using the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) before and after the study. Patients (n=64) were randomly assigned to either the metformin (intervention) or control group. After three months, disease activity was compared between the groups, using clinical and laboratory SLEDAI criteria. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Patients taking metformin had a lower average SLEDAI score compared to those not taking metformin (4.63 vs. 4.72), but this difference was not statistically significant. Covariance analysis, controlling for pre-test scores, showed no statistically significant difference in SLEDAI scores between the groups (P=0.431). Similarly, no significant difference in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was found (P=0.078). Patients taking metformin had a lower average SLEDAI score compared to those not taking metformin, but this difference was not statistically significant. While metformin help reduce lupus flares and auto immune activity reduction in different ways, further research is needed to confirm these findings.