title: Long-term metformin treatment is able to reduce the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its hepatic involvement in young hyperinsulinaemic overweight patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to determine the ability of metformin treatment in reducing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its hepatic involvement in young hyperinsulinaemic overweight patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical Trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 140 hyperinsulinaemic overweight women with PCOS in their reproductive age. Metformin treatment (500 mg × 3/die) was prescribed to each patient for twelve months.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome was to evaluate the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and MS in hyperinsulinaemic overweight patients with PCOS. The secondary outcome was to evaluate, in the same patients, the effects of metformin therapy on endocrine, metabolic and hepatic parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At basal evaluation, NAFLD was diagnosed in 81 of 140 patients with PCOS (57·85%); MS was present only in the NAFLD group (32·09%vs 0%; P < 0·001). After twelve months, metformin is able to significantly reduce, in the same group, the prevalence of MS (28·9%vs 13·5%; P < 0·01). An improvement of hepatic parameters and a significant decrease in oligomenorrhea (85·7%vs 19%, P < 0·001) were also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with metformin is indicated in all hyperinsulinaemic overweight patients with PCOS, especially in those with NAFLD. These data appear even more interesting considering their increased risk to develop metabolic and hepatic complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. gangalemf@libero.it
authors.forename: Maria F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Gangale
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miele
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lanzone
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sagnella
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tropea
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moro
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morciano
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciardulli
authors.forename: Carola
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palla
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pompili
authors.forename: Consuelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cefalo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grieco
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Apa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008687:Metformin; D050177:Overweight / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin