[Safety and efficacy of metformin in improving clinical, hormonal and metabolic features of polycystic ovary syndrome. Systematic review and meta-analysis ]

Bouza-Álvarez C, Ruiz-López M, Alcázar-Alcázar R, López-Cuadrado T
Record ID 32013000271
Spanish
Authors' objectives: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting 5-10% of young women. Aside from its cutaneous symptoms and reproductive morbidity, PCOS associates with metabolic syndrome and an increased risk of cardiovascular events. In recent years the use of Metformin, an insulin sensitizer, in PCOS has aroused a great interest. However, the extent to which this agent improves the metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors associated with PCOS remains uncertain. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of Metformin in improving clinical, hormonal and metabolic features of PCOS.
Authors' recommendations: Using all available evidence, this meta-analysis suggests that metformin provide limited or no important benefit for clinical, hormonal or metabolic derangements in women with PCOS. There is remarkably insufficient or no data on the relative efficacy of metformin on vital clinical outcomes such as the development of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Metformin is less effective than OCP to improve the menstrual pattern and serum androgen levels. There is no data regarding its safety in long-term use in young women. Further research is needed to solve this important health issue.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2011
URL for published report: http://www.isciii.es/ISCIII/es/contenidos/fd-publicaciones-isciii/fd-documentos/IPE_66.pdf
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Spain
MeSH Terms
  • Metformin
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Contact
Organisation Name: Agencia de Evaluacion de Tecnologias Sanitarias
Contact Address: Instituto de Salud "Carlos III", Calle Sinesio Delgado 6, Pabellon 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain. Tel: +34 9 1 822 2005; Fax: +34 9 1 387 7841;
Contact Name: Luis M. Sánchez Gómez
Contact Email: luism.sanchez@isciii.es
Copyright: Agencia de Evaluacion de Tecnologias Sanitarias (AETS)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.