Research Center: Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital
Location: 7400 Merton Minter, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
Lead Doctor: Sara E. Espinoza, MD
IRB Committee: This study has been reviewed and approved by UT Health San Antonio  Institutional Review Board

Background

Frailty leads to poor health outcomes in older adults, such as falls, disability, hospitalization and nursing home placement. Due to the dramatic growth in the U.S. aging population and the health care costs associated with frailty (estimated at more than $18 billion per year), frailty is a major health care problem.

There has been little research into potential treatments that would delay or reduce the onset of frailty. The aim for this study is to test metformin as a potential treatment option to prevent frailty in older adults.

This study seeks men and women aged 65+ who have pre-diabetes. This study is looking at older adults with pre-diabetes because they are at higher risk for developing frailty. Pre-diabetes is common (30-40%) in older adults and is often undiagnosed. Participants are required to attend 15 study visits at the research site over a 2 year period and may  be compensated for participating in this study.

Why Participate?

• You will be helping to discover a potential treatment to prevent frailty in older adults.
• You will receive comprehensive medical screening, geriatric assessment, education about pre-diabetes, and monitoring for diabetes.
• You will be contributing to geriatric preventative care research.
• You will be helping to advance medical research.

Your Rights

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you may withdraw at any time.
• Your records relating to this study and any other information received will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by the law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

Who Can Participate?

• Men and women aged 65+
• Experiencing symptoms of pre-diabetes. Many older people (up to 40%) may have pre-diabetes but do not know that they do. Our team will perform screening for pre-diabetes at the first study visit.
• Do not take any diabetes medications
• Non-smokers
• Must be living independently (not in assisted living or nursing home)
• Able to attend 15 study visits at the research site over approximately 2 years