Comparison of different drug for reducing testosterone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Abstract
Background: The optimal drug for treatment with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was in debate. We did this network meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of different drugs for reducing testosterone levels in women with PCOS. Methods: We searched studies from inception until January 10, 2023, through PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library database. All studies comparing different drugs for reducing testosterone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome were included in this network meta-analysis. Outcomes were total testosterone levels, free testosterone levels, and withdraw due to adverse events. We calculated the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) for each treatment. Results: Finally, a total of 13 studies were finally included in this network meta-analysis. In head-to-head comparison, atorvastatin (WMD −3.1, 95% CrI: −3.7 to −2.5), metformin (WMD −2.6, 95% CrI: −3.5 to −1.6), metformin + simvastatin (WMD −2.8, 95% CrI: −4.1 to −1.5), simvastatin (WMD −2.7, 95% CrI: −4.2 to −1.3), spironolactone (WMD −3.1, 95% CrI: −4.3 to −1.9), spironolactone + metformin (WMD −3.2, 95% CrI: −4.5 to −2.0) were all more effective than the placebo, and the difference was statistically significant (P .05). Conclusions: Considering the network meta-analysis and rankings, atorvastatin was recommended to be the optimal drug for treatment PCOS. However, the optimal dose of atorvastatin was unknown and should be verified by more randomized controlled trials.
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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.
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