Ensaio clínico sobre a efetividade da metformina em baixas doses na síndrome dos ovários micropolicísticos

Abstract

Insulin resistance that leads to hyperinsulinaemia plays major pathogenic role in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. This way, the use of insulin-sensitizing agents, like metformin that has been the most extensively studied drug, is suggested as the initial therapy for the disease. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of metformin 1,000 mg a day for 90 days in anthropometric and metabolic measurements, ovarian ultrasonographic morphology, and side effects, on patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Patients and Method: A randomized, by means of random numbers table, double-bind, placebo-controlled trial, including 21 PCOS patients. Thirteen patients were allocated at the treatment (metformin) group, and eight at the placebo group. The mean and standard-deviation of the measures were taken and analyzed into each group and between the groups on recruitment of the trial and after 90 days. Results: The mean values of the studied baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. The metformin group had significant reductions on waist circumference and fasting glucose. There were no significant differences in any other of the measurements. Side effects were referred by 92.31% and 71.43% of the treatment and placebo groups, respectively. Only three (23.07%) patients of treatment group and none of placebo group referred major side effects that request drug dose adjust. There were no drop-outs or lost of follow up. Conclusions: metformin at doses of 1,000 mg a day for 90 days was effective at waist circumference and fasting glucose reduction on PCOS patients, with good acceptance and mild side effects. Improvement of characteristics more related to insulin resistance, like the waist/hip ratio, probably need higher doses or longer course of use.