PREGNANCY OUTCOMES OF METFORMIN USE IN PREGNANT WOMEN WITH PCOS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a commonly occurring endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age, which often complicates pregnancy outcomes. Metformin, an insulin-sensitizing agent, is used in many cases to manage PCOS and its associated complications during pregnancy. However, it has not proven its effectiveness for its role in the improvement of pregnancy outcomes.
Objective: The present study was aimed at evaluating the impact of Metformin therapy on pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with PCOS through a comparative prospective study.
Subjects and Methods: The study was a comparative study conducted over two years on pregnant women having PCOS who conceived on metformin and continued it throughout their pregnancy. Those patients were compared with low risk healthy pregnant women. Pregnancy outcomes including abortion, intrauterine death (IUD) and preterm delivery were compared between the two age matched groups. The metformin group received varying doses (500–2000 mg), with a mean dose of 868.53 mg at delivery. Maternal age and BMI were also analyzed.
Results: A higher percentage of participants in the Metformin group were obese (43.36%) compared to the control group (41.33%). Preterm birth was significantly lower in the Metformin group (14.7%) compared to the control group (24.14%) (p = 0.048). No significant differences were observed in rates of abortion (p = 0.679) or IUD (p = 0.971). Metformin usage was observed to be associated with reduced incidence of preterm delivery without increasing adverse pregnancy events.
Conclusion: Metformin use in pregnant women with PCOS appears to be associated with a significant reduction in preterm births, suggesting that it has a potential role in improving certain pregnancy outcomes