Clinical, endocrine, and metabolic effects of acarbose, a alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, in overweight and nonoverweight patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinical, endocrine, and metabolic effects of acarbose use in overweight and nonoverweight patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

DESIGN

Prospective analysis.

SETTING

Gynecology and infertility clinic of a tertiary care medical center.

PATIENT(S): Seventy-four patients with PCOS and 30 healthy women.

INTERVENTION(S): Acarbose use.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical findings of hyperandrogenism, body mass indices, LH, FSH, DHEAS, total T, PRL, basal insulin, fasting glucose/insulin levels, and lipid profiles.

RESULT(S): Acarbose treatment improved LH/FSH levels, decreased total T, DHEAS, basal insulin, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels, and increased high-density lipoprotein levels in patients with PCOS. Basal insulin and fasting glucose/insulin levels reacted more significantly in overweight patients undergoing acarbose treatment.

CONCLUSION(S): Acarbose has been found to improve insulin levels and thus glucose/insulin ratios more effectively in overweight patients compared with nonoverweight patients with PCOS. This drug seems to be an effective drug to be used in overweight as well as nonoverweight patients with PCOS.