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Effects of Metformin on CIMT and FMD in PCOS patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Fang Wang, Yici Yan, Dongying Wang, Qingnan Fan, Fangyu Yi, Xinyan Yang, Jin Lu

BMC Women's Health, 2024

248 participants · 6 citations

Abstract

Background This study aims to analyze the efficacy of metformin on carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods A literature search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception to December 2023 was conducted. Then, after studies selection and data extraction, the mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to evaluate metformin efficacy in CIMT and FMD for PCOS patients. Heterogeneity was investigated through subgroup and sensitivity analysis. The protocol of our study has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024497239). Results A total of 12 studies with 248 patients were included. CIMT was lower in the endpoint group (after metformin) compared with the baseline group (before metformin) (MD = -0.11, 95% CI = -0.21 to -0.01, p = 0.04). FMD was higher in the endpoint group compared with the baseline group (MD = 3.25, 95% CI = 1.85 to 4.66, p < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was observed in nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD) between the two groups (MD = 0.65, p = 0.51). Subgroup analysis showed that a relatively lower MD of CIMT in PCOS patients from Europe in the endpoint group compared with the baseline group (MD = -0.09, 95% CI = -0.14 to -0.04, p < 0.001). However, the MD in CIMT was not significantly different between the endpoint group and baseline group in PCOS patients from Asia ( p = 0.270). Conclusion Metformin may have a…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 248 participants or records.

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