Abstract | CONTEXT: OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare in a clinical setting the efficacy of CC and metformin as first-line approaches for treating anovulation in infertile PCOS patients. DESIGN: This study was a multicenter, nonrandomized, prospective, controlled study. SETTING: The study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universities "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro and "Federico II" of Naples, Italy. PATIENTS: Patients included 80 infertile anovulatory patients with PCOS allocated in two body mass index- and age-matched groups (experimental and control groups). INTERVENTIONS: Six months of 1700 mg/d metformin treatment (experimental group) or CC was administered using a traditional incremental-dose protocol (control group). In both groups, patients who ovulated under treatment continued the therapy for a total of 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reproductive outcomes were measured. RESULTS: Experimental and control groups were studied for a total of 204 and 169 cycles, respectively. No difference between the two groups was observed in ovulation (55.4 vs. 59.8%, respectively; P = 0.396), pregnancy (10.8 vs. 11.2%, respectively; P = 0.888), and abortion (19.5 vs. 26.3%, respectively; P = 0.530) rates. The cumulative pregnancy rate was not different between groups (62.9 vs. 48.6%, respectively; P = 0.225). CONCLUSION: A 6-month course of 1700 mg/d metformin treatment and CC administered in an escalation protocol are two effective first-line approaches for improving fertility in anovulatory PCOS women.
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Authors | Stefano Palomba, Francesco Orio Jr, Angela Falbo, Tiziana Russo, Achille Tolino, Fulvio Zullo |
Journal | The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
(J Clin Endocrinol Metab)
Vol. 92
Issue 9
Pg. 3498-503
(Sep 2007)
ISSN: 0021-972X [Print] United States |
PMID | 17595241
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study)
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Chemical References |
- Fertility Agents, Female
- Clomiphene
- Metformin
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Topics |
- Adult
- Anovulation
(drug therapy)
- Clomiphene
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Fertility Agents, Female
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Infertility, Female
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Menstrual Cycle
(drug effects)
- Metformin
(therapeutic use)
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
(complications, drug therapy)
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Outcome
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