RecruitingPhase 3

MetfOrmin BenefIts Lower Extremities With Intermittent Claudication

United States200 participantsStarted 2022-03-01

Plain-language summary

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects over 20% of aged adults and is very common among Veterans due significant tobacco use. PAD is due to the progressive blockage of peripheral arteries, predominantly to the legs, and results in intermittent claudication (IC) or recurrent muscle pain with activity secondary to insufficient blood supply. Those with PAD and IC experience a progressive decline in walking and poor quality of life. There is no effective medical treatment for PAD and IC. Metformin is a safe and effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes but it can also reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and improve energy requirements as well as improve blood flow to the legs. Therefore, the investigators will test the ability of Metformin to improve overall functional status, reduce PAD progression, and reduce systemic inflammation in Veterans suffering from PAD and IC in a randomized, placebo controlled trial: Metformin BenefIts Lower Extremities with Intermittent Claudication (MOBILE IC) Trial. The success of this trial may identify a safe and effective treatment for PAD and IC.

Who can participate

Age range

35 Years – 89 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and Female Veteran \>35 \& \<89 * Symptoms of Intermittent claudication * Medically stable, optimal medical therapy (for \>3 months prior to randomization which includes - statin and anti-platelet therapy, blood pressure control, smoking cessation and physical activity counseling) a. Participants may not comply with the above measures to meet inclusion criteria, but investigator driven attempts to maximize the optimal medical therapy, as tolerated, for each participant prior to trial enrollment * PAD as defined by ABI \<0.9 or \>0.9 with evidence of PAD as documented by pulse volume recordings (within 6 months prior to expected randomization date) * Maximum Walking Distance (MWD) on the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) of greater than or equal to 50 meters with onset of pain before or at 400 meters without the use of a walker (cane is acceptable; within 6 months of expected randomization date) Exclusion Criteria: * Diabetes (Type I or II) or Hemoglobin A1c\>6.5 (within 6 months of expected randomization) * Currently Taking metformin or have previously taken metformin (within 6 months of enrollment) * Medical condition that limit their ability to ambulate other than PAD (i.e., Angina, CHF, pulmonary disease requiring oxygen, malignancy requiring treatment, etc.) * Prior above or below knee amputation * Critical limb threatening ischemia (i.e., non-healing wounds or rest pain) * Planned hospital admission, major operation, or lower extremity revascular…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Maximal Walking distance on the 6 minute walk test

Timeframe: 6 month

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05132439

SponsorVA Office of Research and Development

Sponsor typeFED

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-02-28

Contact for this trial

Edith I Tzeng, MD

(412) 360-1657 Edith.Tzeng@va.gov

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Intermittent Claudication trials