About this trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a metformin dose of 1500 mg or 2250 mg per day is better to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in adults. It will also learn about the adverse effects of metformin. The trial aims to evaluate which metformin dose is better for:
1. improving biochemical and clinical outcomes 2. gastrointestinal side-effects 3. mental health and quality of life
Participants will:
* Be randomized to take metformin at a dose of either 1500mg or 2250mg every day for 6 months * Visit the clinic three times during the trial for checkups and tests * Answer questionnaires on menstrual cyclicity, mental health, quality of life and side-effects
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Diagnosed PCOS (According to the International evidence-based Guideline for PCOS 2023)
Age: 18-37 years
BMI: ≥ 25 and <40 kg/m2
Signed informed consent and willingness to comply with the trial procedures
Disqualifiers
Not meeting the criteria according to the International evidence-based Guideline for PCOS 2023)
Use of hormonal contraceptive during the last 3 months
Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Trial design
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Metformin 1500 mg daily
Drugmetformin 500mg tablets, 3 times per day
Metformin 2250 mg daily
DrugMetformin 750mg, 3 times daily
Treatment groups
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
Weight
Weight will be measured by a standard scale to an accuracy of +/- 0,1kg.
Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)
HOMA-IR will be calculated with the formula: fasting plasma glucose (mmol/L) × fasting serum insulin (mU/L) divided by 22.5 (9)
Hirsutism
Modified Ferriman Gallwey score (mFG) will be measured and a score of 4 or more will be regarded as hirsutism in Caucasian women, whereas a score of 6 or more will be regarded hirsutism for other ethnicities
Total testosterone
Testosterone nmol/l (liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). All laboratory tests will be taken in the morning, between 7-10 am, after 12 hours fasting.
Secondary outcomes
Body mass index (BMI)
Weight (kilogram) and height (metre) will be combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2
Waist circumference (WC)
WC will be measured halfway between the participant's lowest rib and the top of the participant's hipbone
Waist-hip-ratio (WHR)
WHR will be calculated as waist measurement divided by hip measurement (W⁄H). Hip circumference is determined as the maximum value over the glottal region, measured to the nearest centimetre.
Body adiposity index (BAI)
BAI will be measured using the following equation: hip circumference (cm)/height (m) - 18
Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Helsinki University Central Hospital
Lead sponsor
Valtion tutkimusraha (funding)
Collaborator
Sakari Alhopuro foundation (funding)
Collaborator
The Medical Society of Finland (funding)
Collaborator
This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options: