Clinically significant and sustained weight loss is achievable in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome followed in a regular medical practice.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the proportion of obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) losing clinically significant amounts of weight during a standard follow-up by an endocrinologist.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic of an academic center.


METHODS
Obese patients with PCOS assessed between May 2002 and September 2008.


METHODS
General nonstandardized advice on weight loss and exercise.


METHODS
Proportion of women losing ≥5% or ≥10% of their initial weight at each of the following time interval: 2-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months, 24-36 months, and beyond 36 months.


RESULTS
One hundred seventeen patients with PCOS and with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 38.7 kg/m(2) and mean age of 28.5 years were followed-up for a median duration of 21.9 months (range, 2.0-61.8 months), with a median of two visits per year. More than 40% of these women lost ≥5% of their initial weight after >6 months of follow-up, and ≥20% lost ≥10% after 1 year of follow-up. More important, these proportions were maintained up to ≥3 years.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible for obese women with PCOS to achieve clinically significant and sustained weight loss by following simple advices given in a regular clinical care setting. Therefore, practitioners should not underestimate their impact to facilitate weight loss in women with PCOS.
Pelletier
Lysanne
L
Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
Baillargeon
Jean-Patrice
JP
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011364:Professional Practice; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult