Second-Line Treatments for Anovulatory Infertility in PCOS Patients

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose To date, it is still unclear the potential role of laparoscopic ovarian diathermy (LOD) in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-related anovulatory infertility. Metformin administration, alone or combined with clomiphene citrate (CC), has shown to be an effective and attractive second-line treatment for ovulation induction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) after failure of CC treatment. The aim of the present study will be to compare in a randomized controlled fashion the efficacy of LOD with metformin plus CC administration in the treatment of the CC-resistant PCOS patients.
ConditionPolycystic Ovary Syndrome
Infertility
Anovulation
InterventionDrug: Metformin plus clomiphene citrate
Procedure: Laparoscopic ovarian drilling
PhasePhase 4
SponsorUniversity Magna Graecia
Responsible PartyUniversity Magna Graecia
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT00558077
First ReceivedNovember 13, 2007
Last UpdatedNovember 13, 2007
Last verifiedNovember 2007

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateNovember 13, 2007
Last Updated DateNovember 13, 2007
Start DateFebruary 2003
Estimated Primary Completion DateOctober 2005
Current Primary Outcome MeasuresLive-birth rate [Time Frame: fifteen months]
Current Secondary Outcome Measures
  • Spontaneous menses [Time Frame: six months]
  • Pregnancy rate [Time Frame: six months]
  • Abortion rate [Time Frame: fifteen months]

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleSecond-Line Treatments for Anovulatory Infertility in PCOS Patients
Official TitleLaparoscopic Ovarian Diathermy or Metformin Plus Clomiphene Citrate Administration as Second-Line Treatment for Infertile Anovulatory Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Brief Summary
To date, it is still unclear the potential role of laparoscopic ovarian diathermy (LOD) in
the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-related anovulatory infertility.
Metformin administration, alone or combined with clomiphene citrate (CC), has shown to be an
effective and attractive second-line treatment for ovulation induction in women with
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) after failure of CC treatment. The aim of the present study
will be to compare in a randomized controlled fashion the efficacy of LOD with metformin
plus CC administration in the treatment of the CC-resistant PCOS patients.
Detailed Description
A total of 50 primary infertile anovulatory PCOS patients with documented CC-resistance will
be enrolled and randomized into two groups of treatment of 25 subjects each. Group A will
undergo diagnostic laparoscopy followed by metformin plus CC, whereas group B will undergo
LOD followed by observation. Anovulatory patients will receive IM progesterone. The
treatment will be of six months followed by nine-month of observation for pregnant patients.
The incidence of spontaneous menses, and the pregnancy, abortion, and live-birth rates will
be recorded.
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhasePhase 4
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Treatment
Condition
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Infertility
  • Anovulation
InterventionDrug: Metformin plus clomiphene citrate
Metformin administration will start from 3rd day of a P-induced withdrawal bleeding with a dose of 850 mg (1 tablet daily) and increasing the dosage after one week up to 1700 mg/day (two tablets daily). Clomiphene citrate CC will be administered for five days beginning on cycle day 3rd of a P-induced withdrawal bleeding using a starting dose of 50 mg daily. If ovulation will not occur, the dose will be increased by 50 mg in successive cycles until the ovulation will be achieved or up to a maximal dose of 150 mg daily.
Procedure: Laparoscopic ovarian drilling
Laparoscopic ovarian drilling will be performed as follows: according to ovary size three to six punctures will be performed at each ovary inserting an insulated needle cautery of 36 mm perpendicularly as possible to the ovarian surface with a cutting current of 100 watt power. Then, the needle will be activated for 2-3 seconds at each point using a coagulating current of 40 watt power. At completion of the procedure, the ovarian surface will be washed with a crystalloid solution and all injured areas will be completely covered with hyaluronic acid gel.
Study Arm (s)
  • Experimental: A
    Metformin plus clomiphene citrate
  • Active Comparator: B
    Laparoscopic ovarian drilling

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusCompleted
Estimated Enrollment50
Estimated Completion DateOctober 2005
Estimated Primary Completion DateNot Provided
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- PCOS

- Clomiphene citrate-resistance

- Anovulation

- Infertility

Exclusion Criteria:

- Age < 18 or > 35 years

- Body mass index >35

- Neoplastic, metabolic, endocrine, hepatic, renal, and cardiovascular disorders or
other concurrent medical illnesses

- Current or previous use of oral contraceptives, glucocorticoids, antiandrogens,
ovulation induction agents, antidiabetic and anti-obesity drugs or other drugs
affecting hormone levels, carbohydrate metabolism, or appetite

- Pelvic diseases

- Previous pelvic surgery

- Suspected peritoneal factor infertility/subfertility

- Tubal or male factor infertility or sub-fertility
GenderFemale
Ages18 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsNot Provided
Location CountriesItaly

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT00558077
Other Study ID Numbers01/2003
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeYes
Information Provided ByUniversity Magna Graecia
Study SponsorUniversity Magna Graecia
CollaboratorsNot Provided
Investigators Principal Investigator: Stefano Palomba, MD Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University "Magna Graecia" of CatanzaroStudy Chair: Fulvio Zullo, MD Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro
Verification DateNovember 2007

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

"Pugliese" Hospital
Catanzaro, Catanzaro/Italy, Italy, 88100