title: Effects of Inositol(s) in Women with PCOS: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
abstract: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder, with complex etiology and pathophysiology, which remains poorly understood. It affects about 5-10% of women of reproductive age who typically suffer from obesity, hyperandrogenism, ovarian dysfunction, and menstrual irregularity. Indeed, PCOS is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility in industrialized nations, and it is associated with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and increased cardiovascular risk. Although insulin resistance is not included as a criterion for diagnosis, it is a critical pathological condition of PCOS. The purpose of this systematic review is the analysis of recent randomized clinical trials of inositol(s) in PCOS, in particular myo- and D-chiro-inositol, in order to better elucidate their physiological involvement in PCOS and potential therapeutic use, alone and in conjunction with assisted reproductive technologies, in the clinical treatment of women with PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, IPUS-Institute of Higher Education, Chiasso, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1805-3181
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Unfer
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Nestler
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Endocrinology, Alexandrovska University Hospital, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Zdravko A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Kamenov
authors.affiliation: IAKENTRO, Infertility Treatment Center, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prapas
authors.affiliation: Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Facchinetti