Is the addition of metformin efficacious in the treatment of clomiphene citrate-resistant patients with polycystic ovary syndrome? A structured literature review

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this literature search is to establish if metformin is efficacious when given to clomiphene citrate (CC)-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients.

Design: Medline database was searched from 1 January 1980 to 1 January 2005. Inclusion criteria were prospective randomized control trials where metformin was randomized either with placebo or CC to induce ovulation in the CC-resistant patient.

Result(s): Group 1: Four trials were prospective double-blind placebo controlled. When the data of the four trials were pooled, the overall effect of the addition of metformin in the CC patient was P=.0006 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of odds ratio (OR) 1.81-8.84. Group 2: In two trials the randomization was only prospective. When the data of these two trials were pooled, the overall effect of the addition of metformin in the CC-resistant patient was P<.0001 with a 95% CI of OR 6.24-70.27. Groups 1 and 2: The combined data show an overall effect of P<.0001 with a 95% CI of OR 3.59-12.96.

Conclusion(s): The addition of metformin in the CC-resistant patient is highly effective in achieving ovulation induction.