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Impact of pharmacological interventions on anthropometric indices in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abdalla MA, Shah N, Deshmukh H, Sahebkar A, Östlundh L, Al-Rifai RH, Atkin SL, Sathyapalan T

Clinical endocrinology, 2022

Abstract

CONTEXT: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous condition affecting women of reproductive age and is associated with increased body weight.

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on the effect of different pharmacological interventions on the anthropometric indices in women with PCOS.

DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane library, and the Web of Science in April 2020 with an update in PubMed in March 2021.

STUDY SELECTION: The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)2020.

DATA EXTRACTION: Reviewers extracted data and assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.

RESULTS: 80 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. Metformin vs placebo showed significant reduction in the mean body weight (MD: -3.13 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -5.33 to -0.93, I² = 5%) and the mean body mass index (BMI) (MD: -0.75 kg/m2 ; 95% CI: -1.15 to -0.36, I² = 0%). There was a significant reduction in the mean BMI with orlistat versus placebo (MD: -1.33 kg/m²; 95% CI: -2.16 to -0.66, I² = 0.0%), acarbose versus metformin (MD: -1.26 kg/m²; 95% CI: -2.13 to -0.38, I² = 0%), and metformin versus pioglitazone (MD: -0.91 kg/m²; 95% CI: -1.62 to -0.19, I² = 0%). A significant increase in the mean BMI was also observed in pioglitazone versus placebo (MD: + 2.59 kg/m²; 95% CI: 1.78-3.38, I² = 0%) and in rosiglitazone versus metformin (MD: + 0.80 kg/m²; 95% CI: 0.32-1.27, I² = 3%). There was a…

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