Metformin during ovulation induction with gonadotrophins followed by timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination for subfertility associated with polycystic ovary syndrome
Abstract
Background
Clomiphene citrate (CC) is generally considered first‐line treatment in women with anovulation due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Ovulation induction with follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH; gonadotrophins) is second‐line treatment for women who do not ovulate or conceive while taking CC. Metformin may increase the effectiveness of ovulation induction with gonadotrophins and may promote safety by preventing multiple pregnancy.
Objectives
To determine the effectiveness and safety of metformin co‐treatment during ovulation induction with gonadotrophins with respect to rates of live birth and multiple pregnancy in women with PCOS.
Search methods
We searched the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility (CGF) Group specialised register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAH) on 8 June 2016, and the reference lists of included and other relevant studies. We searched ongoing trials registries in the World Health Organization (WHO) portal and on clinicaltrials.gov on 4 September 2016.
Selection criteria
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) reporting data on comparison of clinical outcomes in women with PCOS undergoing ovulation induction with gonadotrophins plus metformin versus gonadotrophins alone or gonadotrophins plus placebo.
Data collection and analysis
We used standard methodological procedures recommended by Cochrane. Primary review outcomes were live birth rate and multiple pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes were ovulation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rate, miscarriage rate, cycle cancellation rate and adverse effects.
Main results
We included five RCTs (with 264 women) comparing gonadotrophins plus metformin versus gonadotrophins. The gonadotrophin used was recombinant FSH in four studies and highly purified FSH in one study. Evidence was of low quality: The main limitations were serious risk of bias due to poor reporting of study methods and blinding of participants and outcome assessors.
Live birth
Metformin plus FSH was associated with a higher cumulative live birth rate when compared with FSH (odds ratio (OR) 2.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23 to 4.34; two RCTs, n = 180; I2 = 0%; low‐quality evidence). This suggests that if the chance of live birth after FSH is assumed to be 27%, then the chance after addition of metformin would be between 32% and 60%.
Other pregnancy outcomes
Metformin use was associated with a higher ongoing pregnancy rate (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.36 to 4.46; four RCTs, n = 232; I2 = 0%; low‐quality evidence) and a higher clinical pregnancy rate (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.46 to 4.31; five RCTs, n = 264; I2 = 0%; low‐quality evidence).
Multiple pregnancy
Results showed no evidence of a difference in multiple pregnancy rates between metformin plus FSH and FSH (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.95; four RCTs, n = 232; I2 = 0%; low‐quality evidence) and no evidence of a difference in rates of miscarriage or OHSS.
Other adverse effects
Evidence was inadequate as the result of limited available data on adverse events after metformin compared with after no metformin (OR 1.78, 95% CI 0.39 to 8.09; two RCTs, n = 91; I2 = 0%; very low‐quality evidence).
Authors' conclusions
Preliminary evidence suggests that metformin may increase the live birth rate among women undergoing ovulation induction with gonadotrophins. At this moment, evidence is insufficient to show an effect of metformin on multiple pregnancy rates and adverse events. Additional trials are necessary before we can provide further conclusions that may affect clinical practice.
PICOs
Plain language summary
Metformin during ovulation induction with gonadotrophins in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Review question: Cochrane review authors wanted to find out whether the addition of metformin increases the effectiveness of ovulation induction with gonadotrophins.
Background: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have reduced pregnancy chances caused by absence of or reduction in ovulation requiring medical treatment. About 80% of women will ovulate on clomiphene citrate, and 50% will become pregnant. Remaining women may take gonadotrophins ‐ hormones that act on the ovaries to stimulate ovulation. The association between insulin resistance and anovulation has led to the hypothesis that addition of metformin might increase the effectiveness of ovulation induction.
Study characteristics: We included five randomised controlled trials of women with PCOS undergoing gonadotrophin treatment for ovulation induction. This review of trials compared metformin or placebo added to gonadotrophins for ovulation induction. Evidence is current to July 2016.
Key results: We were able to include only five trials with a total of 264 women. We graded the quality of the evidence as low. We found no evidence of a difference in risk of multiple pregnancy between metformin and placebo, but we noted higher rates of live birth, ongoing pregnancy and clinical pregnancy with metformin.
Quality of the evidence: Evidence was of low quality for live birth, ongoing pregnancy, clinical pregnancy and multiple pregnancy. Limitations of the evidence included inadequate reporting of study methods and blinding of participants and outcome assessors.
