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Prevention of gestational diabetes by metformin plus diet in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Charles J. Glueck, Joel Pranikoff, Dawit Aregawi, Ping Wang

Fertility and Sterility, 2007

64 participants · 81 citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess whether metformin diet safely provides primary and secondary prevention of gestational diabetes (GD).

DESIGN: Assess development of GD on metformin diet.

SETTING: Outpatient clinical research center.

PATIENT(S): One hundred forty-two nondiabetic women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who had at least one live-birth (LB) pregnancy on metformin diet (172 pregnancies, 180 LBs).

INTERVENTION(S): Women were given 26% protein, 44% carbohydrate diets, without calorie restriction during pregnancy. Metformin (2-2.55 g/d) was given preconception, through pregnancy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Development of GD.

RESULT(S): On metformin, GD developed in 12 (7%) of 172 LB pregnancies. Forty-seven women had at least one previous LB pregnancy (n = 64) without metformin, with GD developing in 19 (30%). Subsequently, on metformin, these 47 women had 50 LB pregnancies, developing GD in 6 (12%), which was a statistically significant difference. Of 15 women who had previous GD without metformin, GD developed in 5 (31%) of 16 subsequent pregnancies on metformin. Of 32 women who were previously free of GD without metformin, GD developed in 1 (3%) of 34 subsequent pregnancies on metformin. Previous GD without metformin was the only statistically significant explanatory variable for current GD on metformin.

CONCLUSION(S): Metformin diet during pregnancy in women with PCOS facilitates primary and secondary prevention of GD.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 64 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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