title: Orlistat in polycystic ovarian syndrome reduces weight with improvement in lipid profile and pregnancy rates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects of exercise, metformin, and orlistat on anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, endocrine parameters, and ovulation in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women were compared.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to study the efficacy of orlistat compared with metformin and exercise in PCOS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized control trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 90 eligible PCOS women were randomly assigned to receive either of the two drugs (orlistat or metformin) in combination with lifestyle interventions or as controls where they received lifestyle interventions alone. Anthropometric parameters were assessed at baseline and 4 weekly intervals for 3 months. Androgen levels, insulin resistance, ovulation and conception rates and lipid profile were also assessed at the end of study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS version 17.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance were comparable in three treatment groups. Mean total testosterone, serum hormone binding globulin, free androgen index, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in all arms were comparable and statistically nonsignificant. However, orlistat and metformin were more effective in reducing weight, body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio. However, side-effects were less with orlistat. Ovulation rate was 33.3%, 23.35% with orlistat and metformin group respectively, but were not statistically significant. In orlistat group, significant improvement was observed in lipid profile at the end of 3 months. Conception rates were 40% and 16.7% and 3.3% in orlistat, metformin group and control group respectively (P - 0.003). Weight loss was found to be the best predictor of ovulation with sensitivity with good sensitivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Orlistat is as effective as metformin in reducing weight and achieves similar ovulation rates in obese PCOS patients. However, orlistat has minimal side-effects and is better tolerated compared with metformin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Pratap
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Shweta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arora
keywords: Control; metformin; orlistat; polycystic ovarian syndrome