Effect of hypocaloric diet plus sibutramine treatment on hormonal and metabolic features in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, 24-week study.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of hypocaloric diet plus sibutramine on body composition, hormonal and metabolic parameters in overweight and obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

DESIGN

Open-label, randomized study at an outpatient clinic.

PATIENTS: A total of 59 overweight and obese (18-39 years old) women with PCOS.

MEASUREMENTS: All patients were placed in a hypocaloric diet plus sibutramine (10 mg per day) for the first month and then on a hypocaloric diet plus sibutramine (10 mg per day, group S) or hypocaloric diet only (group D) for the subsequent 6 months. Body composition, hormonal and metabolic features and insulin sensitivity (oral glucose tolerance test, OGTT) were evaluated at baseline and at 3 and 6 months of treatment.

RESULTS

Body weight reduced in both groups but the reduction was greater with sibutramine (-15.4+/-1.1 vs -11.1+/-1.9% in groups S and D, respectively, P<0.05). At 6 months, a greater percent of patients lost more than 10% of initial body weight in group S than D (81 vs 52.9%). In both groups, all women with abnormal OGTT at baseline presented normal glucose tolerance after 6 months. Free androgen index (FAI), glucose area under the curve and fasting triglyceride (TG) concentration were reduced after 6 months in group S only (P<0.05). No changes in cardiovascular risk factors, prolactin and hepatic enzymes levels were observed in both groups.

CONCLUSION

A hypocaloric diet and a diet plus sibutramine both result in significant weight loss in overweight and obese women with PCOS. Patients who received sibutramine showed a greater weight loss and improvement in hyperandrogenemia and insulin sensitivity after 6 months of treatment. The amelioration of insulin resistance in this group could not be totally explained by weight loss. Total testosterone, FAI and TG levels reduction could be a possible mechanism. Finally, sibutramine increased compliance to diet and it was well tolerated from these patients.