Improvement in quality-of-life questionnaire measures in obese adolescent females with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with lifestyle changes and oral contraceptives, with or without metformin

Abstract

We studied the effect of metformin or placebo in a lifestyle modification program combined with oral contraceptives (OC) on quality-of-life parameters measured by the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) questionnaire in obese adolescent women with validated PCOS. The quality-of-life indicators were measured at baseline and conclusion for five domains on the PCOS questionnaire, with equal improvement in scores in both placebo and metformin groups, suggesting that the addition of metformin does not add improvement to quality-of-life measures above those observed with lifestyle modification and OC treatment.

Figure 1. PCOSQ Scores at baseline versus conclusion for all domains (combined data presented)

Quality of Life Scores improved for all study participants regardless of randomization from study inception to completion for all variables measured on the PCOSQ: Emotions, Body Hair, Weight, Infertility and Menstruation.