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Cited by 33Ovarian function and disordersDiabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and LipoproteinsGenetic and Kidney Cyst Diseases

Impact of metformin on the clinical and metabolic parameters of women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

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Abdalla, Mohammed Altigani, Shah, Najeeb, Deshmukh, Harshal, Sahebkar, Amirhossein, Östlundh, Linda, Al-Rifai, Rami H., Atkin, Stephen L., Sathyapalan, Thozhukat·2022·Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism
DOI 10.1177/20420188221127142PMC PMC9548689
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Abstract

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the commonest endocrine disorders affecting women of reproductive age, and metformin is a widely used medication in managing this condition. Aim: To review the available literature comprehensively on the therapeutic impact of metformin on the clinical and metabolic parameters of women with PCOS. Data source: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library and the Web of Science and selected sources for grey literature from their inception to April 2020. An updated search in PubMed was performed in June 2022. Data synthesis: Two reviewers selected eligible studies and extracted data, and the review is reported following the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Results: In 24 eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving 564 participants who received metformin therapy, metformin was associated with significant reduction in body weight by 3.13 kg (95% CI: −5.33, −0.93), body mass index (BMI) by 0.82 kg/m² (95% CI: −1.22, −0.41), fasting blood glucose [standardised mean difference (SMD): −0.23; 95% CI: −0.40, −0.06], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (SMD: −0.41; 95% CI: −0.85, 0.03), total testosterone (SMD: −0.33; 95% CI: −0.49, −0.17), androstenedione (SMD: −0.45; 95% CI: −0.70, −0.20), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) (SMD: −0.58; 95% CI: −1.16, 0.00) and increase the likelihood of clinical pregnancy rate [odds ratio (OR): 3.00; 95% CI: 1.95, 4.59] compared with placebo. Conclusion: In women with PCOS, metformin use has shown a positive impact in reducing body weight, BMI, total testosterone, androstenedione, 17-OHP, LDL-C, fasting blood glucose and increasing the likelihood of pregnancy in women with PCOS.

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Authors
Abdalla, M. A., Shah, N., Deshmukh, H., Sahebkar, A., Östlundh, L., Al-Rifai, R. H., Atkin, S. L., & Sathyapalan, T.
Affiliations
  • University of Hull (GB)
  • Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (IR)
  • United Arab Emirates University (AE)
  • Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
  • Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain (BH)
  • Hull Royal Infirmary (GB)
Corresponding author
Sathyapalan, Thozhukat
ORCID
Venue
Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2022-01
Volume
13
Pages
20420188221127142-20420188221127142
ISSN
  • 2042-0188 (ISSN-L)
  • 2042-0196
DOI
10.1177/20420188221127142
PMC
PMC9548689
OpenAlex
W4306167962
Cited by
33
References
68
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 2
FWCI
0.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Repository@Hull (Worktribe) (University of Hull) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic and Kidney Cyst Diseases
Keywords
metformin, polycystic ovary syndrome, weight loss, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, testosterone, androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, LDL cholesterol, clinical pregnancy rate, insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance, ovulation induction, ovulation rate, hirsutism, hyperandrogenism, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake

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