A total of 486 patients with were analyzed across eight studies.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with features such as hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation, and polycystic ovaries.
Approximately 30% of women with polycystic ovary syndrome experience metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.
Weight loss is considered a primary treatment option that may improve androgen levels, menstrual regularity, and metabolic health in affected women.
have shown effectiveness in reducing body weight and improving some endocrine and metabolic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Combination therapy with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and metformin may lead to greater reductions in body mass index and fat mass compared to monotherapy.
Simplified
is a common reproductive endocrine condition that affects women of fertile age and is characterized by three main features, including hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. In addition, half of women with polycystic ovary syndrome have insulin resistance, and obesity or overweight, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia are the most common metabolic abnormalities affecting (30%) women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Weight loss is regarded as the first-line treatment as it can potentially improve polycystic ovary syndrome parameters (androgen levels, menstrual cyclicity, lipid and glucose metabolism). However, achieving and maintaining weight loss can be challenging, and pharmacological agents could be essential to achieve optimal glycemic control and improve the endocrine disturbance associated with polycystic ovary syndrome. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist has been demonstrated as monotherapy or in combination with metformin for managing obesity and insulin resistance associated with polycystic ovary syndrome. Yet, its effect on endocrine and metabolic parameters remains elusive, and further research is needed to close the gap. The aim is to evaluate the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist monotherapy and/or a combined treatment between glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist and metformin for improving anthropometric measurements, endocrine and metabolic parameters in lean and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome. A systematic review of longitudinal cohort studies was conducted across databases including Ovid Medline, PubMed Central, and Cochrane Library between 2015 and 2022. Eligible studies included participants with polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosed according to the 2003 Rotterdam or the 1990 National Institutes of Health criteria. A total of eight studies including 486 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were analyzed. The mean age was between 18 and 45 years with mean follow-up period between 12 and 32 weeks. In all these studies, results were comparable for the reduction in body mass index, waist circumference, fat mass, and visceral fat mass; however, it was more in combination therapy versus comparator. In conclusion, effectively reduce body weight and improve some of the endocrine and metabolic parameters of polycystic ovary syndrome. A combined treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist and metformin had significant effects on weight loss and favorable results on endocrine and metabolic parameters, yet further research is needed to discover the long-term safety of combined therapy in women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity or overweight.
Key numbers
6.2 kg
Weight Loss in Combination Therapy
Weight loss observed with liraglutide and metformin combination therapy.
59.1% of patients
Participants Achieving >5% Weight Loss
Percentage of patients in the combination group achieving over 5% weight loss.
8 studies
Total Studies Analyzed
Total number of studies included in the systematic review.
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