Re: To whoever gives the 93% stat
From: Victoria (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 28 Sep 2002 09:39:04 -0400
Hi,
I'm going backwards through the posts. This might be the second study you are
referring to?
Metformin-induced resumption of normal menses in 39 of 43 (91%) previously
amenorrheic women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.Glueck CJ, Wang P, Fontaine
R, Tracy T, Sieve-Smith, L. Metabolism 1999;48: 511-519 (#4, April, 1999).
On Metformin, 39 of 43 patients (91%) resumed normal menses.
If so, Jenn is correct. Its always a good thing to read the studies themselves,
sometimes its hard to see what is exactly going on or who was studied
(overweight/obese women vs. thin women for example) without reading the study
itself. I've made mistakes before in what I read and what I didn't. An old
gotcha :) Btw, beware of percentages. In a study of 3 women, if 2 women are able
to meet the study criteria for success, that's a 66% success rate. 3 women isn't
a lot. 3000 is. Try to look at studies for the number of women in them, and what
the criteria for selection are. It makes a big difference as to outcome.
Was the first one: Nestler JE, Jakubowicz DJ, Evans WS, Pasquali R. Effects of
metformin on spontaneous and clomiphene-induced ovulation in the polycystic
ovary syndrome. NEJM 1998;338: 1876-80.
The first might have been from either Glueck or Nestler. Maybe Perloe has it on
his site. I'll try looking for the specific reference and post when I do. Have
to run: going to an amusement park today and have church and long run tomorrow.
--
Victoria
PS:
1) Br J Clin Pharmacol 2002 May;53(5):469-73 Metformin does not enhance
ovulation induction in clomiphene resistant polycystic ovary syndrome in
clinical practice. Sturrock ND, Lannon B, Fay TN.
CONCLUSIONS: Metformin is not always beneficial when given to clomiphene
resistant infertile women with PCOS in clinical practice.
2) Fertil Steril 2002 Apr;77(4):669-73 Pregnancies following use of metformin
for ovulation induction in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Heard MJ,
Pierce A, Carson SA, Buster JE.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology
and Infertility, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
Result(s): Nineteen of 48 (40%) patients resumed spontaneous menses following
treatment and showed presumptive evidence of ovulation with metformin alone;
15/48 (31%) required CC (50 mg) in conjunction with metformin therapy, and 10 of
these 15 (67%) had evidence of ovulation; 20/48 (42%) conceived with a median
time to conception of 3 months, and 7 of these 20 (35%) had spontaneous
abortions (SAB); 19/48 (40%) had gastrointestinal-related side effects, and 5 of
48 patients (10%) had to decrease the dosage of metformin. Only 1 patient
discontinued therapy.Conclusion(s): Metformin alone in patients with PCOS
results in a substantial number of pregnancies, with 69% (20/29) of those who
ovulated conceiving in less than 6 months.
From: anonymous@obgyn.net (Nif)
To: anonymous@obgyn.net
Subject: Re: To whoever gives the 93% stat
Message-ID: <200209271435.g8REZTh13929@mail.medispecialty.com>
I think when people make reference to the 90% # they are talking about
the Metformin study of women trying to conceive but in that study the
women were actually already pregnant and were testing to see if met
lowers the miscarriage rate. Also in part of the study they make
reference to "91%" of women regaining normal cycles while taking Met for
6 months which then leaves people to think "oh, that must mean I can get
pregnant" which it may. Unfortunately with percentages, there always
has to be someone in the smaller percentage, I guess. Actually, Victoia
really keeps up on the studies and articles so maybe she'll have a
different answer when/if she responds to your post.
--Jenn
PS I can't imagine what you have gone through and I wish I had something
consoling to say but I'm sure you've heard all of the well meaning
people fall over their words before so I'll just say I'll be thinking of
you. :)
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