Sleeve Gastrectomy for Obesity in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: a Pilot Study Evaluating Weight Loss and Fertility Outcomes

The effect of bariatric surgery on polycystic ovary syndrome patients' obstetric and neonatal outcomes: a population-based study

PURPOSE

To examine the effect of bariatric surgery (BS) on obstetric and neonatal outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

A retrospective population-based cohort study utilizing the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, including women who delivered in the third trimester or had a maternal death in the USA (2004-2014). We compared obstetric and neonatal outcomes between groups in three analyses: (1) Primary analysis-women with an ICD-9 PCOS diagnosis who underwent BS compared to pregnant PCOS patients without BS. (2) Sub-group analysis-PCOS women with BS compared to obese PCOS women (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2) without BS. (3) Women with and without PCOS who underwent BS.

RESULT

In the primary analysis, pregnant PCOS women who underwent BS (N = 141), compared to pregnant PCOS women without BS (N = 14,741), were less likely to develop pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) (9.2% vs. 16.2%, respectively, aOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.21-0.72) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (9.9% vs. 18.8, aOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.23-0.70). In the sub-group analysis, PCOS women with BS, compared to obese PCOS women without BS (N = 3231), were less likely to develop gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and preeclampsia or eclampsia superimposed on hypertension (P < 0.05). Lastly, PCOS patients with BS had a higher cesarean section rate when compared to non-PCOS patients with BS (N = 9197) (61.7% vs. 49.2%, aOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.05-2.09), with otherwise comparable obstetric and neonatal outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

BS in PCOS patients was associated with reduced risks for GDM and PIH when compared to PCOS controls without BS and reduced risk for gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and preeclampsia or eclampsia superimposed on hypertension when compared to obese PCOS controls without BS. Moreover, BS was associated with reduced inherent pregnancy risks of PCOS, almost equating them to those of non-PCOS counterparts.

A meta-analysis of bariatric surgery in patients with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial disease, which is closely related to obesity. This study evaluated the efficacy of bariatric surgery on obesity complicated with PCOS through meta-analysis. PubMed, Cochrane, EMbase, and WOS databases were searched from 2012 to November 2022. Studies on the efficacy of bariatric surgery in the treatment of obesity combined with PCOS were included. Outcome indicators included menstrual abnormalities, BMI, free testosterone, hypertrichosis, and ovarian volume. Methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated, and statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Finally, 9 studies were included, and the results of meta-analysis were as follows: After weight loss surgery, menstrual irregularity decreased (RR = -0.83, 95%CI:-1.00∼-0.65, P < 0.00001), and BMI decreased significantly (MD = -13.64, 95%CI:-16.29∼-10.99, P < 0.00001). Free testosterone levels decreased (MD = -22.70, 95 % CI: -36.07 ∼ -9.34, P < 0.00001), the incidence of hypertrichosis decreased (RR = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.45-0.88, p = 0.007 < 0.01), and the ovarian volume decreased (MD = -3.09, 5%CI: -5.76 ∼ -0.42, P < 0.00001).

Bariatric Surgery in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine condition in premenopausal women and is a common cause of anovulatory subfertility. Although obesity does not form part of the diagnostic criteria, it affects a significant proportion of women with PCOS and is strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of the disease. Both PCOS and obesity are known to impact fertility in women; obesity also reduces the success of assisted reproductive technology (ART). With or without pharmacotherapy, lifestyle intervention remains the first-line treatment in women with PCOS and obesity. Bariatric surgery is still an experimental treatment in women with PCOS and subfertility. This review will present an overview of the pathophysiology of PCOS and obesity and the role of bariatric surgery. Although data are sparse regarding the impact of bariatric surgery on subfertility in women with PCOS and obesity, existing studies point to a beneficial role in treating metabolic and reproductive dysfunction.

Improved Insulin Secretion Response and Beta-cell Function Correlated with Increased Prolactin Levels After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Morbidly Obese Patients with Acanthosis Nigricans

OBJECTIVE

To explore insulin secretion patterns, β-cell function, and serum prolactin (PRL) concentrations in Chinese morbidly obese patients with Acanthosis nigricans (AN) and their alterations after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

METHODS

A total of 138 morbidly obese subjects undergoing LSG were categorized as simple obesity without AN (OB group, n = 55) and obesity with AN (AN group, n = 83). Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), PRL, and related metabolic indices were performed pre- and 12 months post-LSG. Insulin secretion patterns were derived from insulin secretion peak time during OGTT: type I (peak at 30 or 60 min) and type II (peak at 120 or 180 min).

RESULTS

Preoperatively, AN group showed significantly higher proportions of type II insulin secretion pattern, fasting insulin (FINS), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) whereas lower oral glucose insulin sensitivity (OGIS), insulinogenic index (IGI), and disposition index (DI) than OB group, which were improved significantly at 12 months postoperatively in both groups, more pronounced in AN group. Intriguingly, serum PRL declined substantially in AN group than OB group at baseline whereas elevated only in the AN group post-LSG. After adjusting for confounding factors, elevated PRL correlated significantly with increased IGI and DI, and decreased HOMA-IR in both genders, as well as increased OGIS in females, which was detected only in the AN group CONCLUSION: Morbidly obese patients with AN presented delayed insulin secretion response, impaired insulin secretion, and β-cell dysfunction, which were significantly improved by LSG and might benefit from elevated PRL.

Outcome of Gastric Bypass Surgery on Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Review

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, is associated with obesity. The most effective method to achieve and maintain long-term weight loss is by the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). In this review, an overview about metabolic and PCOS-specific outcomes after RYGB in obese PCOS women is provided. The RYGB leads to an adequate excess weight loss and reduction in BMI in this patient population. Testosterone levels decline significantly at 6- and 12-months follow-up, as does the incidence of hirsutism and cycle irregularities. Data about fertility are scarce in this patient population. In conclusion, RYGB surgery seems to be an efficient treatment option for obese PCOS patients and leads to weight loss and improvements in metabolic parameters as well as in an improvement of PCOS-specific characteristics. However, larger prospective studies are warranted, which include all PCOS-specific outcome data in one patient population at the same time.

The predictive value of preoperative luteinizing hormone to follicle stimulating hormone ratio for ovulation abnormalities recovery after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: A prospective cohort study

Introduction

Obesity-related ovulation abnormalities (OA) affect fertility. LSG is the most frequent bariatric operation. However, no research has identified a reliable indicator for predicting OA recovery after LSG. The purpose of this research was to examine the prognostic usefulness of preoperative the luteinizing hormone (LH) to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio (LFR).

Methods

Our department conducted a prospective study from 2016 to 2021. Venous blood was typically tested 3 days before surgery to get the preoperative LFR. Descriptive data, preoperative and postoperative variables were also collected. Binary logistic regression related preoperative LFR with OA recovery. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve evulated preoperative LFR's predictive capability.

Results

A total of 157 women with a complete follow-up of one year were included. LFR was the only factor linked with OA (P < 0.001). AUC (area under the ROC curve) = 0.915, cutoff = 1.782, sensitivity = 0.93, and specificity = 0.82.

Discussion

Overall, LSG has a favorable surgical result, with a %TWL of 66.082 ± 12.012 at 12 months postoperatively. Preoperative sexual hormone levels, as expressed by LFR, has the potential to predict the fate of OA following LSG at one year post-operatively.

Efficacy of Bariatric Surgery in the Treatment of Women With Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

CONTEXT

The comparative effectiveness of drugs and surgical therapy for women with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has not been systematically compared.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the difference in efficacy between drug and bariatric surgery therapy for women with obesity and PCOS.

METHODS

This prospective nonrandomized trial enrolled 90 women aged 18 to 40 years with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 27.5 kg/m2 and waist circumference ≥ 85 cm and fulfilling the 2011 Chinese diagnostic criteria for PCOS; 81 subjects completed the study. In the drug group, patients were administered metformin and an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl-estradiol and cyproterone acetate for the first 6 months, and metformin alone for the second 6 months. In the surgical group, patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies. The follow-up period was 12 months. The main outcome was the complete remission of PCOS, requiring 6 consecutive regular menstruation cycles or spontaneous pregnancy.

RESULTS

Median BMI at endpoint was 30.1 kg/m2 in the drug group and 23.7 kg/m2 in the surgical group; complete remission rate was 15% and 78%, respectively. Except endpoint BMI, no difference was observed in free androgen index, ovarian morphology, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, and total weight loss between remission and nonremission patients. Logistic regression analyses also revealed that the final BMI was the major factor influencing the remission of PCOS. The cutoff points for the final BMI were 27.5 kg/m2 for the drug group and 26 kg/m2 for the surgical group. Overall, nearly 95% of patients with an endpoint BMI below the cutoff values achieved complete remission.

CONCLUSION

Complete remission of PCOS in patients with obesity depends on the final BMI after weight loss. Thus, bariatric surgery should be prioritized for these patients.

Metabolic Surgery on Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complicated reproductive endocrine disease that is closely related to obesity. Metabolic surgery ameliorates a series of clinical manifestations and related comorbidities of PCOS. However, the overall efficacy of metabolic surgery on PCOS remains uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of metabolic surgery on obese patients with PCOS. A systematic literature search for relevant studies was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from inception to June 2021. Data extraction and quality evaluation were performed by three researchers, and RevMan 5.4 software was used to conduct the meta-analysis. A total of 14 studies involving 501 obese patients with PCOS were included. Incidence of PCOS in obese women ranged from 5.5% to 63.5% among the included studies. The results showed the incidence of abnormal menstruation decreased from 81% to 15% (OR=0.03, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01-0.08), while the incidence of hirsutism dropped from 71% to 38% (OR=0.21, 95% CI: 0.06-0.74). Serum total testosterone and free testosterone levels decreased by 25.92 ng/dL (MD = -25.92, 95% CI: -28.90- -22.93) and 2.28 ng/dL (SMD = -2.28, 95% CI: -3.67- -0.89), respectively. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels increased by 26.46 nmol/L (MD = 26.46, 95% CI: 12.97-39.95). Serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels decreased by 1.29 ng/mL (MD = -1.29, 95% CI: -1.92- -0.66). Small sample size studies revealed that pregnancy rates ranged from 95.2% to 100% postoperatively. Metabolic surgery contributed to marked improvement of abnormal menstruation, hirsutism, and levels of free testosterone, total testosterone, SHBG, and AMH in patients with PCOS. Our findings indicate that patients with PCOS are expected to benefit from metabolic surgery, and could help potentially improve their reproductive outcomes. Metabolic surgery could thus be a new viable option for the clinical treatment of PCOS.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42021251524.

The Changes in Body Composition in Obese Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy:a 12-Month Follow-up

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the changes in body fat distribution and predicting factors of these changes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with obesity, after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

METHODS

This study consecutively enrolled 153 patients with obesity aged 18-45 years (83 with PCOS and 70 control patients) who underwent LSG from May 2013 to September 2020 at the Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, with a 12-month follow-up. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to assess body fat distribution.

RESULTS

The percentage of fat mass loss in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) region (55.08%) was more than that in any other body regions at 12 months post-surgery in the PCOS group yet insignificant. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at baseline and Δ HOMA-IR were only negatively correlated with the variations in VAT mass and volume at 3 months post-surgery in the PCOS group. Logistic regression analysis showed that HOMA-IR <6.65 was an independent predictive factor for the changes in VAT mass and volume at 3 months post-surgery in the PCOS group.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the percentage loss of fat mass was greater in the VAT region than in any other body regions in all patients. The rate of VAT decrease in the PCOS group was higher than that in the control group yet insignificant. Compared with control patients, HOMA-IR at baseline was an independent risk factor for the changes in VAT mass and volume at 3 months post-surgery in patients with PCOS.

KEY POINTS

• The percentage loss of fat mass was greater in the VAT region than in any other body regions in all patients. • The rate of VAT decrease in the PCOS group was higher than that in the control group yet insignificant. • HOMA-IR at baseline was an independent risk factor for the changes of VAT mass in patients with PCOS.

Weight loss and metabolic outcomes in women with or without polycystic ovarian syndrome after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: A case-matched study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Weight loss is the mainstay of management for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). However, lifestyle and dietary modifications, and gastric banding have generally poor long-term efficacy. We aimed to investigate whether gastric bypass is equally efficacious in women with or without PCOS.

METHODS

We performed a matched case-control study of primary Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery in women with PCOS (cases, n = 30) compared to women without PCOS (controls, n = 60) matched for baseline age, body mass index (BMI) and presence or absence of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Data shown represent mean values.

RESULTS

At 24 months after surgery the 90 participants (age 36.1 years) experienced significant reductions in BMI (53.4 vs. 34.9 kg/m², p < 0.0001), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in 21 women with T2D (68.2 vs. 38.7 mmol/mol, p < 0.0001) and blood pressure (BP) in 29 women with hypertension (144/91 vs. 129/83 mmHg, p < 0.01), while obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) resolved in 88.0% of the 25 affected patients. Women with PCOS compared to women without PCOS achieved equivalent reductions in percentage total weight loss (32.6% vs. 32.6% at 12 months and 34.8% vs. 36.1% at 24 months) and HbA1c (T2D subgroup; 38.3 vs. 41.6 mmol/mol at 12 months and 37.0 vs. 39.6 mmol/mol at 24 months) and comparable improvement in BP (hypertension subgroup) and resolution of OSA (87.5% vs. 88.2% at 24 months).

CONCLUSION

In women with PCOS with morbid obesity, gastric bypass resulted in significant weight loss and metabolic outcomes similar to women without PCOS.

Weight management strategies for patients with PCOS: current perspectives

INTRODUCTION

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder of reproductive-aged women. Overweight and obesity commonly accompany the syndrome at the clinic and are significant concerns for women with PCOS.

AREAS COVERED

Herein, we provide an overview of the relevant literature on weight management strategies in women with PCOS. We performed an electronic-based search using PubMed until February 2021. We aimed to summarize available evidence of different weight-reducing interventions in PCOS and outline the gaps in our current knowledge and recommend areas for further research.

EXPERT OPINION

PCOS is closely linked to obesity and increased adiposity enhances severity and expression of PCOS phenotype. Current data suggest that weight loss is associated with improved metabolic, endocrine, reproductive, cardiovascular and psychological features in overweight and obese women with PCOS. Lifestyle interventions including diet and exercise, anti-obesity medications and bariatric surgery have been used as therapeutic approaches for short-term management of obesity in PCOS with varying success rates. Large and sufficiently powered studies are required in order to determine long-term effects of weight management strategies and potential benefits beyond weight loss in the syndrome. This would allow informing the guidelines to make PCOS specific evidence-based recommendations.

The Impact of Bariatric Surgery Compared to Metformin Therapy on Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a leading cause of infertility among women of reproductive age. The interplay between hyperinsulinemia and obesity results in many of the reproductive and hormonal changes seen in PCOS including abnormal menses, infertility, and pregnancy loss. While bariatric surgery has been found to be an effective treatment strategy for morbid obesity, its role in the management of PCOS-related infertility compared to standard therapy (metformin) is less clear.

AIMS

To assess the impact of bariatric surgery on pregnancy outcomes in women with PCOS compared to metformin therapy in a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to August 2019. Studies that reported quantitative data on pregnancy outcomes on women of reproductive age with PCOS with at least a 3-month follow-up and a minimum of 5 or more sample size were included. The primary outcome was pregnancy rate, expressed as an event rate and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

RESULTS

Ten studies with a total of 587 patients were included in the final analyses (Metformin: 5 studies, n = 192; Bariatric surgery (BS): 5 studies (2 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 2 sleeve gastrectomy, 1 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass + sleeve gastrectomy), n = 186). The average time to follow-up was 18.25 months (range 3-36) with a shorter time to follow-up in the metformin group compared to the bariatric surgery group (Metformin: 11.2 vs BS: 24.5 months). While metformin increased the likelihood of pregnancy compared to placebo or non-surgical interventions (OR = 3.08, 95% CI 1.29-7.37, p = 0.01), the pregnancy rate after bariatric surgery was greater than metformin (34.9%, 95% CI 0.20-0.53 vs 17.1%, 95% CI 0.12-0.23, p = 0.026 for the difference). Additionally, there was a trend to a greater improvement in menstrual irregularity in the bariatric group compared to the metformin group with a reduction of 92% in the bariatric cohort compared to a reduction of 54% in the metformin cohort, but the data was limited.

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery appears to be a more effective treatment strategy for patients with PCOS and class 3 obesity compared to metformin alone. Women with PCOS and infertility should consider bariatric surgery for weight loss and improvement in pregnancy outcomes.

Curbing Obesity from One Generation to Another: the Effects of Bariatric Surgery on the In Utero Environment and Beyond

Approximately 250,000 individuals seek bariatric surgery each year in the USA for the long-term resolution of obesity-related comorbidities. Greater than 80% of these individuals are women and approximately half are of child-bearing age. Although there are many positive metabolic benefits that are realized through surgical weight loss for both men and women, the various long-term hormonal, molecular, nutrient, and epigenetic changes following bariatric surgery have not been evaluated for the surgical recipient or in the context of pregnancy and the offspring. Pregnancy may be a vulnerable period of time for the bariatric surgery recipient, and thoughtful consideration of pregnancy management should be taken by health care providers and recipients alike. The purpose of this review is to explore potential etiologies of some of the gestation-specific outcomes for the mother and offspring.

The Impact of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Females With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome From 2018 to 2020 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Prospective Study

Background: Obesity is one of the most common risk factors for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Reducing body weight has shown to improve the symptoms of PCOS; however, it is still unclear if the surgical treatment of obesity can have better outcomes to control obesity and improve PCOS.

Objective: This study aims to identify the impact of sleeve gastrectomy on PCOS symptoms in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with a comparison of other weight reduction surgeries.

Design and Setting: This is a prospective study that included patients with PCOS who had weight reduction surgeries between 2018 and 2020, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Using an online questionnaire, demographic data will be collected and information about menstruation, abortion, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and bariatric surgeries (if any). Data analysis was done through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).

Results: Ninety-nine female patients responded to this survey, all of whom had PCOS; 57.6% of these patients had a positive family history of PCOS. The most-reported PCOS symptoms were irregular menses (63.6%) and weight gain (53.5%), while 9.1% were asymptomatic. 52.5% were obese, and 91.1% underwent gastric sleeve surgery to treat their obesity. 41.4% of the females had a regular cycle before the operation, which increased to 60.6% after the operation; 48.5% had a normal flow before the operation, which increased to 61.6% after the operation. 15.2% conceived once before the operation, which increased to 16.2% after the operation. 11.1% had one abortion before surgery, which decreased to 7.1% after surgery. 55.6% observed an improvement in their PCOS symptoms after surgery, and 47.5% found that their fertility improved according to their own perception. Females with a positive family history of PCOS had a higher prevalence of PCOS (p-value <0.001). Also, females 30-39 years old are significantly more likely to have PCOS (p-value <0.001). The incidence of abnormal menstrual flow and irregular menstrual cycle was seen significantly more in PCOS patients than non-PCOS (p-value=0.019 and 0.004, respectively). PCOS symptoms and fertility significantly improved after surgery (p-value=0.031 and 0.043, respectively).

Conclusion: Sleeve gastrectomy can lead to significant improvement in fertility and symptoms of PCOS. It can also reduce the incidence of abortion. Other surgical techniques should be investigated.

Fertility and Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Following Bariatric Surgery

CONTEXT

Restoration of ovulation is quite common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) after surgically induced weight loss. Whether or not this results in an improvement of PCOS-associated infertility is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To study fertility and gestational outcomes in women with PCOS after bariatric surgery.

DESIGN

Unicenter cohort study.

SETTING

Academic hospital.

PATIENTS

Two hundred and sixteen premenopausal women were screened for PCOS before bariatric surgery. Women were followed-up after the intervention until mid-2019 regardless of having or not PCOS.

INTERVENTIONS

All participants underwent bariatric surgery from 2005 to 2015.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pregnancy and live birth rates in the PCOS and control groups.

RESULTS

In women seeking fertility, pregnancy rates were 95.2% in PCOS and 76.9% in controls (P = 0.096) and live birth rates were 81.0% and 69.2%, respectively (P = 0.403). The time to achieve the first pregnancy after surgery was 34 ± 28 months in women with PCOS and 32 ± 25 months in controls. Albeit the mean birth weight was lower (P = 0.040) in newborns from women with PCOS (2763 ± 618 g) compared with those from controls (3155 ± 586 g), the number of newborns with low birth weight was similar in both groups (3 in the PCOS group and 1 in the controls, P = 0.137). Maternal (17.6% in PCOS and 22.2% in controls, P = 0.843) and neonatal (23.5% in PCOS and 14.8% in controls, P = 0.466) complications were rare, showing no differences between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnancy and fertility rates in very obese women with PCOS after bariatric surgery were high, with few maternal and neonatal complications.