Abstract
Objectives
To evaluate the effect of metformin and pioglitazone on insulin resistance, ovulation and hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS.
Methods
100 patients of age 18–30 years were included in this randomised double blind trial for treatment with either metformin or pioglitazone for a period of 6 months.
Results
Administration of metformin and pioglitazone for 6 months revealed that 50 % of the patients achieved menstrual cyclicity. A decline in F–G grading for hirsutism within the both the groups was observed. The lipid profile also showed a decrease in total cholesterol, an increase in HDL-C, a decrease in VLDL-C levels but more so in the pioglitazone group. HOMA-IR declined more than 50–55 % with pioglitazone and 15 % with metformin. Thus, pioglitazone may be a better treatment option as far as protection from tendency to development of diabetes is conscerned. The rise in serum SHBG levels and decline in free androgen index and L/H ratio are more remarkable with pioglitazone (P < 0.05). Ovulation was restored in 44.2 and 56 % of patients on metformin and pioglitazone, respectively.
Conclusion
Pioglitazone may be a new alternative for use in women with PCOS, providing more metabolic and reproductive benefits and possibly protection from developing diabetes and cardiovascular problem.
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Sangeeta, S. Metformin and Pioglitazone in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Comparative Study. J Obstet Gynecol India 62, 551–556 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-012-0183-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-012-0183-3