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Efficacy of Metformin as an Adjunct to Standard Antidepressant Therapy in Treating Depression Among Obese Patients

Efficacy of Metformin as an Adjunct to Standard Antidepressant Therapy in Treating Depression Among Obese Patients

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06707012
Enrollment
140
Registered
2024-11-27
Start date
2025-10-01
Completion date
2026-12-31
Last updated
2025-09-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Depression

Keywords

Depression, oxidative stress, antidepressants, obesity

Brief summary

To evaluate the efficacy of metformin as an adjunct therapy in improving depressive symptoms and metabolic markers in newly diagnosed obese depressed patients on standard antidepressant therapy. investigator will compare between Two groups 1\. metformin group 2 placebo group Primary outcome measure will be the improvement in depressive symptoms, indicating by a reduction in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scores. Secondary outcome measures will include the assessment of oxidative stress markers, specifically by measuring the increase in enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase Investigators hypothesize that the addition of metformin to standard antidepressant treatment will result in a significant reduction in symptoms of depression among newly diagnosed obese individuals.

Detailed description

This is a comparative clinical study with randomized groups. Participants will be allocated to either the metformin group or the placebo group in conjunction with standard antidepressant therapy. Randomization will be achieved using computer generated numbers in 1:1 ratio. Metformin Group: Starting dose of 500 mg metformin once daily, titrated up to 2000 mg/day based on tolerance along with standard treatment of depression according to Maudsley guidelines. Placebo Group: Identical placebo tablets, following the same titration schedule as the metformin group along with standard treatment of depression. Study will take place at psychiatric Out Patient Department of Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College and Hospital Karachi Pakistan Investigators will recruit participants from the psychiatric outpatient department of PAF Hospital diagnosed with depression according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition for at least 2 weeks and having obesity. depression is assessed with help of Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D). Participants whose score is above 8 and will meet the inclusion criteria will be added in study. Informed consent: Participants who meets the criteria will be asked for written informed consent form and explain in detail about the study Base Line Data Collection After taking informed consent, detailed history, physical examination, HbA1c and serum creatinine will be measured. Participants whose HbA1c results is below 5.7% and creatinine clearance is above 30% will be selected in the study. Investigators will assess HbA1c, serum creatinine levels at every 12 weeks' interval. Serum levels of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) will measured in participants by using biochemical assays at baseline and at the end of the study. Follow up visits Participants will be followed up six times throughout the study duration. 1st follow up visit will occur at 4th week to evaluate the response to treatment by using Hamilton depression rating scale for depression, as according to Maudsley guidelines initial response to treatment should be assessed within 4 weeks. Next follow ups will take place at every 6th week till 36 weeks to assess improvement in depression and changes in BMI.

Interventions

DRUGMetformin Hydrochloride

Participants will be divided in 2 groups 1 group will receive metformin and 2nd group will receive placebo

Sponsors

Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Masking description

This will be double blind study in which participant and investigator who prescribe the drug will be blind

Intervention model description

Study Design This is a comparative clinical study with randomized groups. Participants will be allocated to either the metformin group or the placebo group in conjunction with standard antidepressant therapy. Randomization will be achieved using computer generated numbers in 1:1 ratio. Metformin Group: Starting dose of 500 mg metformin once daily, titrated up to 2000 mg/day based on tolerance along with standard treatment of depression according to Maudsley guidelines. Placebo Group: Identical placebo tablets, following the same titration schedule as the metformin group along with standard treatment of depression Setting: At psychiatric Out Patient Department of Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College and Hospital Karachi Pakistan Study Duration: 18 months

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* • Age \>18 to \<45 years * Gender: Both genders (Male and Female) * BMI \>25 * Diagnosis: Newly diagnose cases of depression (mild to severe) * HBA1C: Less than 5.7% (non-diabetic range)

Exclusion criteria

* Existing diabetes * Acute illnesses like acute kidney injury, recent history of myocardial infarction, acute liver injury * Intellectual disabilities or inability to understand due to any reason * Presence of Psychiatric disorders other than depression * Chronic kidney disease (eGFR \< 45 mL/min/1.73 m²). * Use of any psychotropic medication within the past 6 months.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Decrease scoring of Hamilton depression rating scale18 monthsPrimary outcome measure will be the improvement in depressive symptoms, indicating by a change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scores. Decrease in the score will be considered as indicator of improvement in depression. 0-7: Normal (no depression) 8-13: Mild depression 14-18: Moderate depression 19-22: Severe depression 23 and above: Very severe depression Investigators will compare the change in both groups.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
elevation in oxidative enzymes level (superoxide dismutase,catalase,glutathione peroxidase18 monthsSecondary outcome measures will include the change in oxidative stress markers, specifically by measuring the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Increase in levels of enzymes will be considered as indicator of improvement of depression. investigators will compare the change in both groups.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
change in Basal Metabolic Rate18 monthsweight in kilograms and height in meters of the participants will be assessed at each follow up visit to identify change in basal metabolic rate and will compare between groups

Countries

Pakistan

Contacts

Primary ContactSadia khan, MBBS
sadiakhansk30@gmail.com0331359046
Backup ContactAsghar Mehdi, MBBS,PHD
drasgharmehdi@gmail.com03008228284

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026