13 January 2024 | Alyse Goldberg, Sandro Graca, Jing Liu, Vibhuti Rao, Selma Feldman Witchel, Alexia Pena, Rong Li, Aya Mousa, Chau Thien Tay, Loyal Pattuwage, Helena Teede, Bulent O. Yildiz, Carolyn Ee
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of anti-obesity agents in managing hormonal, reproductive, metabolic, and psychological outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study included 11 trials with a total of 545 and 451 participants in the intervention and control arms, respectively. Key findings include:
1. **GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs)**: Liraglutide, semaglutide, and orlistat showed superior anthropometric outcomes compared to placebo. Meta-analyses found no significant differences between exenatide and metformin for anthropometric, biochemical hyperandrogenism, and metabolic outcomes, except for lower fasting blood glucose with metformin. Orlistat combined with a combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) did not improve metabolic outcomes compared to COCP alone.
2. **Exenatide**: Compared to metformin, exenatide was superior for insulin area under the curve and the Matsuda index but showed more gastrointestinal adverse events.
3. **Liraglutide**: Liraglutide was superior to placebo for most anthropometric outcomes, including weight, BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass. It also showed benefits for some hormonal outcomes and menstrual frequency.
4. **Semaglutide**: Semaglutide was superior to placebo for all anthropometric outcomes, including body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and visceral body fat. It also showed benefits for fasting insulin and HDL cholesterol.
5. **Orlistat**: Orlistat was superior to COCP alone for some anthropometric outcomes but not for metabolic outcomes. Meta-analyses found no differences between orlistat + lifestyle + COCP and lifestyle + COCP for metabolic outcomes.
The review highlights the need for further high-quality, multicenter studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these agents in PCOS, particularly focusing on reproductive, metabolic, and psychological outcomes. The findings suggest that anti-obesity medications, including liraglutide, semaglutide, GLP-1 RAs, and orlistat, could be considered for managing higher weight in adult women with PCOS, alongside active lifestyle interventions.This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of anti-obesity agents in managing hormonal, reproductive, metabolic, and psychological outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study included 11 trials with a total of 545 and 451 participants in the intervention and control arms, respectively. Key findings include:
1. **GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAs)**: Liraglutide, semaglutide, and orlistat showed superior anthropometric outcomes compared to placebo. Meta-analyses found no significant differences between exenatide and metformin for anthropometric, biochemical hyperandrogenism, and metabolic outcomes, except for lower fasting blood glucose with metformin. Orlistat combined with a combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) did not improve metabolic outcomes compared to COCP alone.
2. **Exenatide**: Compared to metformin, exenatide was superior for insulin area under the curve and the Matsuda index but showed more gastrointestinal adverse events.
3. **Liraglutide**: Liraglutide was superior to placebo for most anthropometric outcomes, including weight, BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass. It also showed benefits for some hormonal outcomes and menstrual frequency.
4. **Semaglutide**: Semaglutide was superior to placebo for all anthropometric outcomes, including body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and visceral body fat. It also showed benefits for fasting insulin and HDL cholesterol.
5. **Orlistat**: Orlistat was superior to COCP alone for some anthropometric outcomes but not for metabolic outcomes. Meta-analyses found no differences between orlistat + lifestyle + COCP and lifestyle + COCP for metabolic outcomes.
The review highlights the need for further high-quality, multicenter studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these agents in PCOS, particularly focusing on reproductive, metabolic, and psychological outcomes. The findings suggest that anti-obesity medications, including liraglutide, semaglutide, GLP-1 RAs, and orlistat, could be considered for managing higher weight in adult women with PCOS, alongside active lifestyle interventions.