Oral contraceptives versus physical exercise on cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Summary Background Although oral contraceptives (OCs) are one the most widespread therapy in young polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women and physical exercise represents a crucial first step in the treatment of overweight and obese PCOS, no studies were performed to compare the effects on cardiovas...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical endocrinology (Oxford) 2016-11, Vol.85 (5), p.764-771
Main Authors: Orio, F., Muscogiuri, G., Giallauria, F., Savastano, S., Bottiglieri, P., Tafuri, D., Predotti, P., Colarieti, G., Colao, A., Palomba, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Androstenes - administration & dosage
Androstenes - therapeutic use
Cardiovascular Diseases - pathology
Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control
Cardiovascular Diseases - therapy
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
Contraceptives, Oral - pharmacology
Contraceptives, Oral - therapeutic use
Ethinyl Estradiol - administration & dosage
Ethinyl Estradiol - therapeutic use
Exercise - physiology
Female
Humans
Hyperandrogenism - drug therapy
Metabolic Diseases - prevention & control
Metabolic Diseases - therapy
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - therapy
Risk Factors
Young Adult
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Summary Background Although oral contraceptives (OCs) are one the most widespread therapy in young polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women and physical exercise represents a crucial first step in the treatment of overweight and obese PCOS, no studies were performed to compare the effects on cardiovascular risk (CVR) of OCs and physical exercise in PCOS. Objective To compare the effects of OCs administration and physical exercise on the CVR, clinical, hormonal and metabolic parameters in PCOS women. Methods One hundred and fifty PCOS women were enrolled and were randomized to OCs (3 mg drospirenone plus 30 μg ethinyloestradiol), structured exercise training programme (SETP) or polyvitamin tablets. The intervention phase study was of 6 months. Primary outcome was intima–media thickness (IMT) and flow‐mediated dilation (FMD). Secondary outcomes were clinical, hormonal and metabolic changes. Results A significant reduction of IMT and a significant increase of FMD were observed in the SETP group after treatment. Compared to baseline, in the SETP group, a significant improvement in anthropometric measures, insulin sensitivity indexes, lipid profile, cardiopulmonary function, inflammatory markers and frequency of menses was observed. Oral contraceptives use was associated with a significant decrease of hyperandrogenism and a significant improvement of frequency of menses. Further, OCs use had a neutral effect on CVR risk factors. Conclusion OCs effectively treat hyperandrogenism and menstrual disturbances, while SETP is more effective in improving cardiometabolic profile and cardiopulmonary function in PCOS.
ISSN:0300-0664
1365-2265
DOI:10.1111/cen.13112