Archives of medical research
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The objective of this study was to evaluate in an open population the incidence and risk factors of biguanide related lactic acidosis. All patients currently treated in the Department of Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism of the Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición and their records were reviewed for the present use or history of administration of biguanides. The study was complemented with a revision of all admissions of diabetic patients to the emergency room during 1987-1990. ⋯ No metformin related cases were found. The conclusions of this study are that biguanides in general and metformin in particular are not associated with a high risk of lactic acidosis. Severe systemic dysfunction associated with intercurrent diseases, frequently observed in diabetic patients, is the main determinant for the appearance of lactic acidosis.