Fertility and Sterility
Volume 92, Issue 5 , Pages 1646-1658, November 2009

Effect of preconceptional metformin on abortion risk in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

  • Stefano Palomba, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Italy
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Stefano Palomba, M.D., Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Via Tommaso Campanella 182/1, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy (FAX: +390961961820).
    • ,
  • Angela Falbo, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Italy
    • ,
  • Francesco Orio Jr., M.D., Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Endocrinology, Faculty of Exercise Sciences, University “Parthenope,” Naples, Italy
    • ,
  • Fulvio Zullo, M.D., Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Italy

Received 22 June 2008; received in revised form 14 August 2008; accepted 14 August 2008. published online 20 October 2008.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of pregestational metformin administration on abortion risk in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting

Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Italy.

Patient(s)

Women affected by PCOS receiving pregestational metformin.

Intervention(s)

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to June 2008 and subsequent meta-analysis.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Abortion rate.

Result(s)

Seventeen RCTs were included in the final analysis. Overall, no effect of the metformin administration was detected on the abortion risk. No statistically significant effect of metformin on the abortion risk was observed in any comparison when subgrouping the RCTs according to received treatment.

Conclusion(s)

Metformin has no effect on the abortion risk in PCOS patients when administered before pregnancy.

Key Words: Abortion, metformin, miscarriage, polycystic ovary syndrome, treatment

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 S.P. has nothing to disclose. A.F. has nothing to disclose. F.O. has nothing to disclose. F.Z. has nothing to disclose.

PII: S0015-0282(08)03708-4

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.08.087

Fertility and Sterility
Volume 92, Issue 5 , Pages 1646-1658, November 2009

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution