METformin for treating peripheral artery disease Related walking Impairment Trial (MERIT) (Old ID 27507)
Role
Chief Investigator
Description
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a very common chronic cardiovascular disease of ageing affecting approximately 1 million older Australians and causing substantial leg pain on walking (intermittent claudication), marked functional impairment, reduced quality of life (QOL) and very high risk of major adverse cardiovascular and limb events. Vulnerable populations (e.g. regional or remote, lower income and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations) have much greater PAD-related burden. Our past consultations with patients indicate that improvements in walking is their number one priority. The only widely available PAD treatment in Australia is revascularisation but this does not improve walking distance and has substantial safety concerns. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that metformin safely improves leg blood supply. MERIT is a placebo-controlled randomised trial performed across 7 sites. The importance of the trial has been endorsed by patients, Heart Foundation, Queensland Health and Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery and Alliance for Cardiovascular Trials. If positive, MERIT will identify a cheap, safe and widely available drug to improve the function and QOL of millions of older adults worldwide who have PAD.
Date
01 Jun 2023 - 31 May 2026
Project Type
GRANT
Keywords
Prevention;Complications;Peripheral artery disease;Risk Factors
Funding Body
Commonwealth Department of Health
Amount
1215182.04
Project Team
Joseph Moxon;Rachel Quigley;Jenna Graffini;Aaron Drovandi;Edward Strivens;Clare Heal;Yvonne Cadet-James;Sarah Larkins