The Effect of Metformin on Serum Lipids in Overweight and Obese Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

ABSTRACT:BACKGROUND:Polycystic ovary syndrome is a very common condition affecting 4% to 18% of women. Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with metabolic features and diabetes and cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of metformin on serum lipids in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS:An observational prospective study conducted at AL- Diwanyia Maternity and child Hospital from May 2011 to March 2013. All women in this study have BMI >27 (range) so, they are all overweight and obese .The women randomized into two group; one group were recieved metformin therapy for 4 months duration and the other group were kept on no therapy and followed for the same period. All studied women were subjected to measurement of fasting Blood sugar, and measurement of overnight fasting lipid profile which include total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol.RESULTS:For women who received metformin, there was significant increase in the level of high density lipoprotein P = 0.04. The value of triglyceride although decreased after metformin treatment, the difference was not significant P > 0.05.Other parameters (cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol) showed no difference. Fasting blood sugar was not changed during the study. CONCLUSION: Metformin have been shown to improve the lipid profiles leading to increase the high density lipoprotein cholesterol, the main predictive of cardiovascular disease in the women with polycystic ovary syndrome.