Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 1/2013

01-07-2013 | General Gynecology

Efficacy of combined metformin–letrozole in comparison with bilateral ovarian drilling in clomiphene-resistant infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Author: Ibrahim Abd Elgafor

Published in: Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics | Issue 1/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

Objectives

To compare the hormonal-metabolic profiles and reproductive outcomes between women receiving metformin plus letrozole and women undergoing bilateral ovarian drilling in clomiphene citrate (CC)-resistant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

In this randomized study, 146 patients were randomly allocated into group 1 (n = 73) who received metformin plus letrozole, and group 2 (n = 73) who underwent bilateral ovarian drilling. Comparison was done between the basal and after treatment biochemical values for each group, in addition reproductive outcomes after treatment were compared between both groups.

Results

There was significant reduction in testosterone (p ≤ 0.001), fasting insulin (p ≤ 0.001), and fasting glucose/fasting insulin ratio (p = 0.029) in metformin plus letrozole group, while there was significant reduction in FSH, LH and LH/FSH ratio in bilateral drilling group (p ≤ 0.001, 0.001 and 0.001). No significant difference in cycle regularity (p = 0.82), ovulation (p = 0.24), pregnancy rate (p = 0.32) and abortion rate (p = 0.51) between both groups.

Conclusion

Both metformin plus letrozole and bilateral ovarian drilling are similarly effective as second-line strategies for the treatment of women with PCOS who do not conceive with CC.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Legro RS, Barnhart HX, Schlaff WD, Carr BR, Diamond MP, Carson SA et al (2007) Clomiphene, metformin, or both for infertility in the polycystic ovary syndrome. N Engl J Med 356(8):551–556PubMedCrossRef Legro RS, Barnhart HX, Schlaff WD, Carr BR, Diamond MP, Carson SA et al (2007) Clomiphene, metformin, or both for infertility in the polycystic ovary syndrome. N Engl J Med 356(8):551–556PubMedCrossRef
2.
go back to reference Fleming R, Hopkinson ZE, Wallace AM, Greer IA, Sattar N (2002) Ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with oligomenorrhea treated with metformin in a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 87:569–574PubMedCrossRef Fleming R, Hopkinson ZE, Wallace AM, Greer IA, Sattar N (2002) Ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with oligomenorrhea treated with metformin in a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 87:569–574PubMedCrossRef
3.
4.
go back to reference Palomba S, Falbo A, Zullo F (2009) Management strategies for ovulation induction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and known Clomiphene citrate resistance. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 21(6):465–473PubMedCrossRef Palomba S, Falbo A, Zullo F (2009) Management strategies for ovulation induction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and known Clomiphene citrate resistance. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 21(6):465–473PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Palomba S, Zullo F, Diamanti-Kandarakis E, Orio F Jr (2006) Treatment of infertility in PCOS: surgery and laser diathermy. In: Nestler JE, Diamanti-Kandarakis E, Pasquali R, Panidis D (eds) Insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome, evaluation and treatment. The Human Press Inc p, London, pp 67–81 Palomba S, Zullo F, Diamanti-Kandarakis E, Orio F Jr (2006) Treatment of infertility in PCOS: surgery and laser diathermy. In: Nestler JE, Diamanti-Kandarakis E, Pasquali R, Panidis D (eds) Insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome, evaluation and treatment. The Human Press Inc p, London, pp 67–81
6.
go back to reference Farquhar C, Lilford RJ, Marjoribanks J, Vandekerckhove P (2007) Laparoscopic “drilling” by diathermy or laser for ovulation induction in anovulatory polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database Systematic Review 20:CD001122 Farquhar C, Lilford RJ, Marjoribanks J, Vandekerckhove P (2007) Laparoscopic “drilling” by diathermy or laser for ovulation induction in anovulatory polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database Systematic Review 20:CD001122
7.
go back to reference Glueck CJ, Morrison JA, Friedman LA, Goldenberg N, Stroop DM et al (2006) Obesity, free testosterone, and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome and regularly cycling adolescents. Metabolism 55:508–514PubMedCrossRef Glueck CJ, Morrison JA, Friedman LA, Goldenberg N, Stroop DM et al (2006) Obesity, free testosterone, and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome and regularly cycling adolescents. Metabolism 55:508–514PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Hahn S, Quadbeck B, Elsenbruch S, Gartner R, Finke R, Mann K et al (2004) Metformin, an efficacious drug in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 129:1059–1064PubMedCrossRef Hahn S, Quadbeck B, Elsenbruch S, Gartner R, Finke R, Mann K et al (2004) Metformin, an efficacious drug in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 129:1059–1064PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Lord JM, Flight IH, Norman RJ (2003) Insulin-sensitising drugs (metformin, troglitazone, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, D-chiro-inositol) for polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database of Syst Rev 3 CD003053 Lord JM, Flight IH, Norman RJ (2003) Insulin-sensitising drugs (metformin, troglitazone, rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, D-chiro-inositol) for polycystic ovary syndrome. Cochrane Database of Syst Rev 3 CD003053
10.
go back to reference Palomba S, Orio F, Falbo A, Manguso F, Russo T, Cascella T et al (2005) Prospective parallel randomized, double-blind, double-dummy controlled clinical trial comparing clomiphene citrate and metformin as the first-line treatment for ovulation induction in non obese anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 90:4068–4074PubMedCrossRef Palomba S, Orio F, Falbo A, Manguso F, Russo T, Cascella T et al (2005) Prospective parallel randomized, double-blind, double-dummy controlled clinical trial comparing clomiphene citrate and metformin as the first-line treatment for ovulation induction in non obese anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 90:4068–4074PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Casper RF (2007) Aromatase inhibitors in ovarian stimulation. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 106 (1–5):71–5, Epub May 24 Casper RF (2007) Aromatase inhibitors in ovarian stimulation. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 106 (1–5):71–5, Epub May 24
12.
go back to reference Okman KT, Kucuk M, Altaner S (2003) Comparison of the effects of letrozole and clomiphene citrate on ovarian follicles, endometrium, and hormone levels in the rat. Fertil Steril 80(6):1330–1332CrossRef Okman KT, Kucuk M, Altaner S (2003) Comparison of the effects of letrozole and clomiphene citrate on ovarian follicles, endometrium, and hormone levels in the rat. Fertil Steril 80(6):1330–1332CrossRef
13.
go back to reference Fauser B, Tarlatzis B, Chang J, Azziz R, Rotterdam the, ESHRE/ASRM-sponsored PCOS consensus workshop group) (2004) Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hum Reprod 19:41–47CrossRef Fauser B, Tarlatzis B, Chang J, Azziz R, Rotterdam the, ESHRE/ASRM-sponsored PCOS consensus workshop group) (2004) Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hum Reprod 19:41–47CrossRef
14.
go back to reference Brown J, Farquhar C, Beck J, Boothroyd C, Hughes E (2009) Clomiphene and anti-oestrogens for ovulation induction in PCOS,” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 4, Article ID CD002249 Brown J, Farquhar C, Beck J, Boothroyd C, Hughes E (2009) Clomiphene and anti-oestrogens for ovulation induction in PCOS,” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, no. 4, Article ID CD002249
15.
go back to reference Ganesh A, Goswami SK, Chattopadhyay R, Chaudhury K, Chakravarty B (2009) Comparison of letrozole with continuous gonadotropins and clomiphene gonadotropin combination for ovulation induction in 1387 PCOS women after clomiphene citrate failure: a randomized prospective clinical trial. J Assist Reprod Genet 26(1):19–24PubMedCrossRef Ganesh A, Goswami SK, Chattopadhyay R, Chaudhury K, Chakravarty B (2009) Comparison of letrozole with continuous gonadotropins and clomiphene gonadotropin combination for ovulation induction in 1387 PCOS women after clomiphene citrate failure: a randomized prospective clinical trial. J Assist Reprod Genet 26(1):19–24PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Dhanalakshmi G, Sumathi P, Pasupathi P, Kumar KS (2011) Lipid profile and Homocysteine level changes in metformin and metformin letrozole therapy with south Indian PCOS women. Int J Cur Biomed Phar Res 1(3):102–108 Dhanalakshmi G, Sumathi P, Pasupathi P, Kumar KS (2011) Lipid profile and Homocysteine level changes in metformin and metformin letrozole therapy with south Indian PCOS women. Int J Cur Biomed Phar Res 1(3):102–108
17.
go back to reference Ashrafinia M, Hosseini R, Moini A, Eslami B, Asgari Z (2009) Comparison of metformin treatment and laparoscopic ovarian diathermy in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Int J Gynecol Obstet 107:236–239CrossRef Ashrafinia M, Hosseini R, Moini A, Eslami B, Asgari Z (2009) Comparison of metformin treatment and laparoscopic ovarian diathermy in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Int J Gynecol Obstet 107:236–239CrossRef
18.
go back to reference Api M, Gorgen H, Cetin A (2005) Laparoscopic ovarian drilling in polycystic ovary syndrome. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 119:76–81 Api M, Gorgen H, Cetin A (2005) Laparoscopic ovarian drilling in polycystic ovary syndrome. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 119:76–81
19.
go back to reference Hamed HO, Hasan AF, Ahmed OG, Ahmed MA (2010) Metformin versus laparoscopic ovarian drilling in clomiphene and insulin-resistant women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Int J Gynecol Obstet 108:143–147CrossRef Hamed HO, Hasan AF, Ahmed OG, Ahmed MA (2010) Metformin versus laparoscopic ovarian drilling in clomiphene and insulin-resistant women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Int J Gynecol Obstet 108:143–147CrossRef
20.
go back to reference Abu Hashim H, El Lakany N, Sherief L (2011) Combined metformin and clomiphene citrate versus laparoscopic ovarian diathermy for ovulation induction in clomiphene-resistant women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 37(6):169–177PubMedCrossRef Abu Hashim H, El Lakany N, Sherief L (2011) Combined metformin and clomiphene citrate versus laparoscopic ovarian diathermy for ovulation induction in clomiphene-resistant women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 37(6):169–177PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Abdellah MS (2011) Reproductive outcome after letrozole versus laparoscopic ovarian drilling for clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome. Int J Gynecol Obstet 113:218–221CrossRef Abdellah MS (2011) Reproductive outcome after letrozole versus laparoscopic ovarian drilling for clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome. Int J Gynecol Obstet 113:218–221CrossRef
22.
go back to reference Abu Hashim H, Maged AM, Badawy A (2010) Letrozole versus laparoscopic ovarian diathermy for ovulation induction in clomiphene-resistant women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet 282(5):567–571PubMedCrossRef Abu Hashim H, Maged AM, Badawy A (2010) Letrozole versus laparoscopic ovarian diathermy for ovulation induction in clomiphene-resistant women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet 282(5):567–571PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Sohrabvand F, Ansari S, Bagheri M (2006) Efficacy of combined metformin–letrozole in comparison with metformin–clomiphene citrate in clomiphene-resistant infertile women with polycystic ovarian disease. Hum Reprod 21(6):1432–1435PubMedCrossRef Sohrabvand F, Ansari S, Bagheri M (2006) Efficacy of combined metformin–letrozole in comparison with metformin–clomiphene citrate in clomiphene-resistant infertile women with polycystic ovarian disease. Hum Reprod 21(6):1432–1435PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Naether OGJ, Fischer R, Weise HC (1993) Laparoscopic electrocoagulation of the ovarian surface in infertile patients with polycystic ovarian disease. Fertil Steril 60:88–94PubMed Naether OGJ, Fischer R, Weise HC (1993) Laparoscopic electrocoagulation of the ovarian surface in infertile patients with polycystic ovarian disease. Fertil Steril 60:88–94PubMed
Metadata
Title
Efficacy of combined metformin–letrozole in comparison with bilateral ovarian drilling in clomiphene-resistant infertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome
Author
Ibrahim Abd Elgafor
Publication date
01-07-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0932-0067
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0711
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-013-2714-2

Other articles of this Issue 1/2013

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 1/2013 Go to the issue