The Effect of Metformin on Pregnancy Outcome Among Filipino Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Objective.To determine the effect of metformin on maternal and neonatal outcome among pregnant Filipino women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methodology.This is a retrospective cohort study of PCOS women who were on metformin treatment prior to achieving pregnancy. The women were divided into two groups: women who continued metformin during pregnancy and women who discontinued metformin at the time the pregnancy was confirmed. Determination of the effect of metformin on pregnancy outcomes were analyzed using chi-square test. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the factors related to spontaneous abortion. Result. A total of 101 women continued metformin during pregnancy while 60 women discontinued metformin. Women who continued metformin had lower rates of first trimester spontaneous abortion compared to those who discontinued metformin (5% versus 36.2%, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in gestational diabetes between those who continued and discontinued metformin during pregnancy (19.0% versus 32.6%, p=0.07). Logistic regression analysis showed that only metformin during pregnancy has a protective effect on abortion (OR=0.168; 95% CI 0.048,0.592; p=0.005). The differences in neonatal outcomes between the two groups did not achieve statistical significance. Conclusion. In Filipino women with PCOS, continuous use of metformin during pregnancy reduces the rate of first trimester spontaneous abortion