title: The role of orlistat combined with lifestyle changes in the management of overweight and obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obesity is frequently present in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and aggravates insulin resistance (IR) and hyperandrogenemia. We aimed to assess the effects of orlistat combined with lifestyle changes in overweight and obese women with PCOS and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 101 women with PCOS (age 26·1 ± 6·4 years, BMI 34·5 ± 5·9 kg/m(2) ) and 29 BMI-matched women with normal ovulating cycles. All women were instructed to follow a low-calorie diet to exercise and were treated with orlistat 120 mg tid for 6 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Metabolic and endocrine characteristics of PCOS, blood pressure (BP) and lipid profile.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant and comparable reduction in BMI was observed in women with PCOS and controls. Systolic and diastolic BP decreased only in women with PCOS. Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased in both women with PCOS and controls; however, this reduction was greater in controls. In contrast, serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels did not change in women with PCOS and decreased in controls. Serum triglyceride levels decreased significantly and to a comparable degree in the two groups. Similarly, markers of IR improved significantly and to a comparable degree in women with PCOS and controls. Serum testosterone levels and the free androgen index decreased significantly in women with PCOS and did not change in controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orlistat combined with lifestyle changes induces substantial weight loss in women with PCOS, resulting in improvements in IR, hyperandrogenemia and cardiovascular risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Human Reproduction, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Panidis
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tziomalos
authors.forename: Efstathios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papadakis
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chatzis
authors.forename: Eleni A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kandaraki
authors.forename: Elena A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Tsourdi
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Katsikis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008019:Life Style; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D000077403:Orlistat; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D007783:Lactones; D000077403:Orlistat