Reproductive Health (Aug 2021)

Comparative efficacy of oral insulin sensitizers metformin, thiazolidinediones, inositol, and berberine in improving endocrine and metabolic profiles in women with PCOS: a network meta-analysis

  • Han Zhao,
  • Chuan Xing,
  • Jiaqi Zhang,
  • Bing He

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-021-01207-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Plain English summary This study aimed to compare the effects of oral insulin sensitizers on endocrine and metabolic profiles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A random-effects network meta-analysis including 22 trials was conducted. For women with PCOS, myo-inositol combined with d-chiro-inositol and metformin combined with thiazolidinediones appear superior to metformin alone in improving insulin resistance and decreasing total testosterone level. Myo-inositol combined with d-chiro-inositol is particularly efficacious in menstrual recovery. Thiazolidinediones and metformin combined with thiazolidinediones improve lipid metabolism better than metformin alone.

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