University of Minnesota's large COVID-19 study finds new drug targets

University of Minnesota researchers conducted one of the world's largest observational studies of COVID-19 patients and found that diabetes and obesity increased death risks, but that a common diabetes drug protects women.

Metformin reduced COVID-19 death risks by 21 to 24% in women with COVID-19 who were already taking it to manage their blood-sugar levels and their diabetes, according to the U study results, which were posted online this weekend in advance of publication in a medical journal.

The amount of protective benefit was surprising, even though four smaller studies had found some evidence that metformin helped patients recover from COVID-19, said Dr. Christopher Tignanelli, a lead author of the study and a critical care physician.

https://www.startribune.com/university-of-minnesota-s-large-covid-19-study-finds-new-drug-targets/571430922/