title: Effects of orlistat vs. metformin on weight loss-related clinical variables in women with PCOS: systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the effects of orlistat on weight loss-related clinical variables in overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to compare treatment with orlistat vs. metformin in this group.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence about the use of orlistat in women with PCOS. We searched the literature published until May 2015 in MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and LILACS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 3951 studies identified, nine were included in the systematic review (three prospective, non-randomised studies and six randomised control trials). Eight studies used the Rotterdam criteria and 1 used NIH criteria to diagnose PCOS. Data suggest that orlistat promotes a significant reduction in BMI/weight in overweight/obese PCOS women. Eight studies evaluated orlistat impact on testosterone. Seven reported an improvement in testosterone levels. Eight studies evaluated impact on insulin resistance, and five reported improvement. Finally, five studies evaluated impact on lipid profile, and four reported improvement. Three randomised control trials were included in the fixed effects model meta-analysis for a total of 121 women with PCOS. Orlistat and metformin had similar positive effects on BMI (-0.65%, 95% CI: -2.03 to 0.73), HOMA (-3.60%, 95% CI: -16.99 to 9.78), testosterone (-2.08%, 95% CI: -13.08 to 8.93) and insulin (-5.51%, 95% CI: -22.27 to 11.26).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results suggest that orlistat leads to significant reduction in BMI/body weight in PCOS. In addition, the available evidence indicates that orlistat and metformin have similar effects in reducing BMI, HOMA, testosterone and insulin in overweight/obese PCOS women. This study was registered in PROSPERO under number CRD42014012877.
authors.affiliation: Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Graff
authors.affiliation: Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil.|Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Mario
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ziegelmann
authors.affiliation: Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil.|Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Physiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Spritzer
mesh_terms: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077403:Orlistat; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D007783:Lactones; D008687:Metformin; D000077403:Orlistat