title: The use of metformin as first line treatment in polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: This study evaluated the use of metformin as first line treatment for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. A retrospective review of patients' files diagnosed with PCOS over 16 months in Department of obstetrics and gynaecology of a Regional hospital. The outcome was the response to metformin treatment regardless of the main complaint. Treatment response was measured by change in LH/FSH ratio, fasting insulin, testosterone, day 21 progesterone and/or pregnancy. A day 21 progesterone greater than 25.5 nmol/l and/or pregnancy were the parameter of ovulation. Thirty-four patients were diagnosed with PCOS. Twenty-five complained of infertility (14 primary and 11 secondary), six patients had oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea and three presented with hirsutism. Seventeen patients received metformin as first line treatment. Eight received it with other treatment (5 clomiphene citrate and 3 ant androgens). Nine patients did not receive metformin. This study justifies the use of metformin as an appropriate first line treatment for PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co Galway. mabbas@eircom.net
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gannon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000187:drug effects; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009839:Oligomenorrhea / Q000209:etiology; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D002996:Clomiphene; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D008687:Metformin