Abstract
Background
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a leading cause of infertility among women of reproductive age. The interplay between hyperinsulinemia and obesity results in many of the reproductive and hormonal changes seen in PCOS including abnormal menses, infertility, and pregnancy loss. While bariatric surgery has been found to be an effective treatment strategy for morbid obesity, its role in the management of PCOS-related infertility compared to standard therapy (metformin) is less clear.
Aims
To assess the impact of bariatric surgery on pregnancy outcomes in women with PCOS compared to metformin therapy in a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods
MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to August 2019. Studies that reported quantitative data on pregnancy outcomes on women of reproductive age with PCOS with at least a 3-month follow-up and a minimum of 5 or more sample size were included. The primary outcome was pregnancy rate, expressed as an event rate and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).
Results
Ten studies with a total of 587 patients were included in the final analyses (Metformin: 5 studies, n = 192; Bariatric surgery (BS): 5 studies (2 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 2 sleeve gastrectomy, 1 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass + sleeve gastrectomy), n = 186). The average time to follow-up was 18.25 months (range 3–36) with a shorter time to follow-up in the metformin group compared to the bariatric surgery group (Metformin: 11.2 vs BS: 24.5 months). While metformin increased the likelihood of pregnancy compared to placebo or non-surgical interventions (OR = 3.08, 95% CI 1.29–7.37, p = 0.01), the pregnancy rate after bariatric surgery was greater than metformin (34.9%, 95% CI 0.20–0.53 vs 17.1%, 95% CI 0.12–0.23, p = 0.026 for the difference). Additionally, there was a trend to a greater improvement in menstrual irregularity in the bariatric group compared to the metformin group with a reduction of 92% in the bariatric cohort compared to a reduction of 54% in the metformin cohort, but the data was limited.
Conclusion
Bariatric surgery appears to be a more effective treatment strategy for patients with PCOS and class 3 obesity compared to metformin alone. Women with PCOS and infertility should consider bariatric surgery for weight loss and improvement in pregnancy outcomes.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bozdag G, Mumusoglu S, Zengin D, Karabulut E, Yildiz BO. The prevalence and phenotypic features of polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod. 2016;31(12):2841-2855. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dew218
Ehrmann DA, Barnes RB, Rosenfield RL, Cavaghan MK, Imperial J. Prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Diabetes Care. 1999;22(1):141-146. doi:https://doi.org/10.2337/diacare.22.1.141
El-Mazny A, Abou-Salem N, El-Sherbiny W, El-Mazny A. Insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2010;109(3):239-241. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.01.014
Meyer C, McGrath BP, Teede HJ. Overweight Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Have Evidence of Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005;90(10):5711-5716. doi:https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2005-0011
Nestler JE, Jakubowicz DJ, Vargas AFD, Brik C, Quintero N, Medina F. Insulin Stimulates Testosterone Biosynthesis by Human Thecal Cells from Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome by Activating Its Own Receptor and Using Inositolglycan Mediators as the Signal Transduction System. 1998;83(6):5.
Plymate SR, Matej LA, Jones RE, Friedl KE. Inhibition of Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin Production in the Human Hepatoma (Hep G2) Cell Line by Insulin and Prolactin*. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1988;67(3):460-464. doi:https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-67-3-460
Lim SS, Davies MJ, Norman RJ, Moran LJ. Overweight, obesity and central obesity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2012;18(6):618-637. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dms030
Butterworth J, Deguara J, Borg C-M. Bariatric Surgery, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and Infertility. J Obes. 2016;2016:1-6. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1871594
Lim SS, Norman RJ, Davies MJ, Moran LJ. The effect of obesity on polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis: Obesity and central obesity in PCOS. Obes Rev. 2013;14(2):95-109. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2012.01053.x
Legro R. Obesity and PCOS: Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment. Semin Reprod Med. 2012;30(06):496-506. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1328878
Kiddy DS, Sharp PS, White DM, et al. Differences In Clinical And Endocrine Features Between Obese And Non-Obese Subjects With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Analysis Of 263 Consecutive Cases. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1990;32(2):213-220. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2265.1990.tb00857.x
Ehrmann DA, Liljenquist DR, Kasza K, Azziz R, Legro RS, Ghazzi MN. Prevalence and Predictors of the Metabolic Syndrome in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(1):48-53. doi:https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2005-1329
Clark AM, Thornley B, Tomlinson L, Galletley C, Norman RJ. Weight loss in obese infertile women results in improvement in reproductive outcome for all forms of fertility treatment. Hum Reprod. 1998;13(6):1502-1505. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/13.6.1502
Norman RJ, Davies MJ, Lord J, Moran LJ. The role of lifestyle modification in polycystic ovary syndrome. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2002;13(6):251-257. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1043-2760(02)00612-4
Lim SS, Hutchison SK, Van Ryswyk E, Norman RJ, Teede HJ, Moran LJ. Lifestyle changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group, ed. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Published online March 28, 2019. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007506.pub4
Skubleny D, Switzer NJ, Gill RS, et al. The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Obes Surg. 2016;26(1):169-176. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-015-1902-5
Eid GM, Cottam DR, Velcu LM, et al. Effective treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2005;1(2):77-80. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2005.02.008
Naderpoor N, Shorakae S, de Courten B, Misso ML, Moran LJ, Teede HJ. Metformin and lifestyle modification in polycystic ovary syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2015;21(5):560-574. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmv025
Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Li T, Page MJ, Welch VA (editors). Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons; 2019.
Fleming R, Hopkinson ZE, Wallace AM, Greer IA, Sattar N. Ovarian Function and Metabolic Factors in Women with Oligomenorrhea Treated with Metformin in a Randomized Double Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. :6.
Misra S, Parida N, Das S, Parija BS, Padhi M, Baig MAA. Effect of Metformin in Asian Indian Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2004;2(3):192-197. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/met.2004.2.192
Navali N, Shokoufe LA, Mallah F, Bastani P, Mashrabi O. Comparing therapeutic effects of Metformin and Pioglitazone in Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). :5.
Tang T, Glanville J, Hayden CJ, White D, Barth JH, Balen AH. Combined lifestyle modification and metformin in obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind multicentre study. Hum Reprod. 2006;21(1):80-89. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dei311
Wahab S, Karim R. Role of Metformin in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. 2013;27(02):5.
Ahmed HO. Improvement in Fertility After Bariatric Surgery in Obese Females with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Based on Four Years of Experience in Two Centers in Sulaimani Governorate, Kurdistan Region/Iraq. Bariatr Surg Pract Patient Care. 2017;12(4):162-169. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/bari.2017.0041
Ahuja A. Role of bariatric surgery in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Infertility. Obes Surg. 2019. Conference abstract.
Dilday J, Derickson M, Kuckelman J, et al. Sleeve Gastrectomy for Obesity in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: a Pilot Study Evaluating Weight Loss and Fertility Outcomes. Obes Surg. 2019;29(1):93-98. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-018-3473-8
Jamal M, Gunay Y, Capper A, Eid A, Heitshusen D, Samuel I. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass ameliorates polycystic ovary syndrome and dramatically improves conception rates: a 9-year analysis. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2012;8(4):440-444. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2011.09.022
Morley LC, Tang T, Yasmin E, Norman RJ, Balen AH. Insulin-sensitising drugs (metformin, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, D-chiro-inositol) for women with polycystic ovary syndrome, oligo amenorrhoea and subfertility. Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group, ed. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Published online November 28, 2017. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003053.pub6
Hoeger KM, Kochman L, Wixom N, Craig K, Miller RK, Guzick DS. A randomized, 48-week, placebo-controlled trial of intensive lifestyle modification and/or metformin therapy in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A pilot study. Fertil Steril. 2004;82(2):421-429. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.02.104
Escobar-Morreale HF, Botella-Carretero JI, Álvarez-Blasco F, Sancho J, San Millán JL. The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Associated with Morbid Obesity May Resolve after Weight Loss Induced by Bariatric Surgery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005;90(12):6364-6369. doi:https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2005-1490
Jena D, Choudhury AK, Mangaraj S, Singh M, Mohanty BK, Baliarsinha AK. Study of Visceral and Subcutaneous Abdominal Fat Thickness and Its Correlation with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors and Hormonal Parameters in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2018;22(3):321-327.
Rojas J, Chávez M, Olivar L, et al. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Insulin Resistance, and Obesity: Navigating the Pathophysiologic Labyrinth. Int J Reprod Med. 2014;2014:1-17. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/719050
Maggard, Melinda A., Yermilov, Irina, Li, Zhaoping, et al. Pregnancy and Fertility Following Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review. Cesarean Deliv.:11.
Al-Azemi M, Omu FE, Omu AE. The effect of obesity on the outcome of infertility management in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2004 Dec; 270(4):205-10.
Moran LJ, Pasquali R, Teede HJ, et al. Treatment of obesity in polycystic ovary syndrome: a position statement of the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society. Fertil Steril. 2009 Dec; 92(6):1966-82.
Moran LJ, Noakes M, Clifton PM, et al. Postprandial ghrelin, cholecystokinin, peptide YY, and appetite before and after weight loss in overweight women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Dec; 86(6):1603-10.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Appendix 1. Example search strategy for bariatric surgery cohort
Appendix 1. Example search strategy for bariatric surgery cohort
-
1
pcos.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (27673)
-
2
polycystic ovary.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (35103)
-
3
polycystic ovary syndrome.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (34173)
-
4
1 or 2 or 3 (40026)
-
5
pregnancy.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (1758669)
-
6
pregnancy outcome.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (118854)
-
7
pregnancy outcomes.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (32639)
-
8
pregnancy complications.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (174821)
-
9
reproductive outcomes.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (4971)
-
10
reproductive outcome.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (3491)
-
11
reproductive.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (400158)
-
12
fertility.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (220378)
-
13
fertility outcome.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (774)
-
14
fertility outcomes.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (1179)
-
15
live birth.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (35915)
-
16
miscarriage.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (27990)
-
17
infertility.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (207136)
-
18
5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 (2253199)
-
19
bariatric surgery.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (51791)
-
20
bariatric surgeries.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (1214)
-
21
metabolic surgery.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (2190)
-
22
metabolic surgeries.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (67)
-
23
weight loss surgery.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (2168)
-
24
weight loss surgeries.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (82)
-
25
sleeve gastrectomy.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (17520)
-
26
roux-en-y gastric bypass.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (19672)
-
27
roux-en-y bypass.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (290)
-
28
RYGB.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (8245)
-
29
laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (3680)
-
30
LAGB.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (3358)
-
31
lap band.mp. [mp=ti, ab, ot, nm, hw, fx, kf, ox, px, rx, ui, sy, sh, kw, tn, dm, mf, dv, dq] (960)
-
32
19 or 20 or 21 or 22 or 23 or 24 or 25 or 26 or 27 or 28 or 29 or 30 or 31 (68844)
-
33
4 and 18 and 32 (212)
-
34
limit 33 to human [Limit not valid in CCTR; records were retained] (204)
-
35
remove duplicates from 34 (163)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chang, C., Chang, S., Poles, J. et al. The Impact of Bariatric Surgery Compared to Metformin Therapy on Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Gastrointest Surg 25, 378–386 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-020-04900-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-020-04900-3