This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Cheang, K. I. Articles by Nestler, J. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Cheang, K. I. Articles by Nestler, J. E. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Long-term effect of metformin on metabolic parameters in the polycystic ovary syndrome

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA, kicheang{at}vcu.edu

Jessica M. Huszar

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

Al M. Best

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

Susmeeta Sharma

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

Paulina A. Essah

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

John E. Nestler

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

Insulin resistance is a central feature of the PCOS and may increase cardiovascular risk. Owing to insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome is more prevalent in women with PCOS compared with unaffected women. Metformin improves the metabolic profile in PCOS in short-term studies. In this study, we evaluated the long-term effect of metformin on metabolic parameters in women with PCOS during routine care without a controlled diet.We performed a retrospective medical chart review of 70 women with PCOS receiving metformin from an academic endocrine clinic. Metabolic risk factors were compared before and after metformin treatment. Time trends of these metabolic parameters were also analysed. After a mean follow-up of 36.1 months with metformin treatment, improvements were observed for BMI (—1.09 ± 3.48 kg/m2, p = 0.0117), diastolic blood pressure (—2.69 ± 10.35 mmHg, p = 0.0378), and HDL cholesterol (+5.82 ± 11.02 mg/dL, p <0.0001).The prevalence of metabolic syndrome decreased from 34.3% at baseline to 21.4% (p = 0.0495). The course of BMI reduction during metformin treatment was significantly more pronounced in women with PCOS with metabolic syndrome at baseline, compared with those without the metabolic syndrome (p = 0.0369 for interaction). In conclusion, metformin improved the metabolic profile of women with PCOS over 36.1 months, particularly in HDL cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure and BMI.

Key Words: polycystic ovary syndrome • metformin • metabolic syndrome • cardiovascular risk factors

Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research, Vol. 6, No. 2, 110-119 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1479164109336050


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?