Long-term metformin treatment is able to reduce the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its hepatic involvement in young hyperinsulinaemic overweight patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Summary Objective The objective of this study is to determine the ability of metformin treatment in reducing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its hepatic involvement in young hyperinsulinaemic overweight patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Design Clinical Trial. Patients We recruited 140 hyperinsulinaemic overweight women with PCOS in their reproductive age. Metformin treatment (500 mg × 3/die) was prescribed to each patient for twelve months. Measurements The primary outcome was to evaluate the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and MS in hyperinsulinaemic overweight patients with PCOS. The secondary outcome was to evaluate, in the same patients, the effects of metformin therapy on endocrine, metabolic and hepatic parameters. Results At basal evaluation, NAFLD was diagnosed in 81 of 140 patients with PCOS (57·85%); MS was present only in the NAFLD group (32·09%vs 0%; P