Biochemical and body weight changes with metformin in polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long-term effects of metformin on biochemical variables and body weight in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Fifteen obese PCOS patients that attended the university clinic were included to this prospective study. These patients used 1,500 mg of metformin daily for 12 months.


RESULTS
We found a statistically different decrease in mean body mass index (t:4,369), (p:0.0002) at the end of the 12 months. In contrast to that there were no statistical differences in fasting serum insulin and testosterone levels. Metformin improved menstrual patterns (60% of cases) in obese PCOS patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyperinsulinemia and androgen excess in obese non-diabetic women with PCOS are not improved by the administration of metformin. Metformin treatment may have improved menstrual patterns by a mechanism independent of and unrelated to insulin sensitivity or circulating insulin concentrations.
Baysal
B
B
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Istanbul, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Turkey.
Batukan
M
M
Batukan
C
C
D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008598:Menstruation; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013739:Testosterone; D008687:Metformin