Effects of pioglitazone on menstrual frequency, hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in adoloscents and young adults with polycystic ovary syndrome

Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Regulation of Menstrual Cycle in Adolescents with PCOS

Menstrual irregularities are one of the main clinical symptoms caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Pharmacological treatment options for non-fertility indications to restore menstrual frequency play an important role in the management of PCOS. Oral contraceptive pills are commonly prescribed for adolescents with menstrual irregularities, however, when contraindicated or poorly tolerated, further pharmacological therapy is required. This systematic literature research aims to provide an overview concerning the effects of non-hormonal pharmacological treatment options on menstrual irregularities in adolescents suffering from PCOS. A systematic literature search in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Bio-SISS and Web of Science was performed, including literature from January 1998 to September 2022, using specific keywords in order to find related studies. n = 265 studies were identified of which n = 164 were eligible for further evaluation. Only four placebo-controlled studies were identified, with diverging inclusion and exclusion criteria. Available data on specific non-hormonal off-label use medication primarily consisted of metformin, Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, thiazolidinediones, anti-androgen agents (spironolactone, finasteride, flutamide) and supplements (chromium picolinate, myo-inositol). However, only a few have partly pointed out beneficial effects on improving menstrual frequency in patients diagnosed with PCOS. In summary, metformin in dosages of 1500-2550 g/day, GLP-1-analogues and supplements were effective in regulation of menstrual cycles in adolescents diagnosed with PCOS. Menstrual frequency in adolescents with PCOS is essential to prevent hypoestrogenism with long-term consequences. In this context, MET is the most effective and cost- efficient in overweight adolescent girls, also showing beneficial effects in the regulation of insulin sensitivity, especially if COCs are contraindicated or not well-tolerated. Further studies are needed to evaluate therapies in lean and normal-weight girls with PCOS.

Treatment effects on measures of body composition in the TODAY clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

The Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) trial showed superiority of metformin plus rosiglitazone (M+R) over metformin alone (M), with metformin plus lifestyle (M+L) intermediate in maintaining glycemic control. We report here treatment effects on measures of body composition and their relationships to demographic and metabolic variables including glycemia.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Measures of adiposity (BMI, waist circumference, abdominal height, percent and absolute fat, and bone mineral content [BMC] and density [BMD]) were analyzed as change from baseline at 6 and 24 months.

RESULTS

Measures of fat accumulation were greatest in subjects treated with M+R and least in M+L. Although fat measures in M+L were less than those of M+R and M at 6 months, differences from M were no longer apparent at 24 months, whereas differences from M+R persisted at 24 months. The only body composition measure differing by race and/or ethnicity was waist circumference, greater in M+R than either M or M+L at both 6 and 24 months in whites. BMD and BMC increased in all groups, but increased less in M+R compared with the other two groups by 24 months. Measures of adiposity (increases in BMI, waist circumference, abdominal height, and fat) were associated with reduced insulin sensitivity and increased hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), although effects of adiposity on HbA1c were less evident in those treated with M+R.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite differential effects on measures of adiposity (with M+R resulting in the most and M+L in the least fat accumulation), group differences generally were small and unrelated to treatment effects in sustaining glycemic control.

Identification and treatment of metabolic complications in pediatric obesity

Metabolic consequences of obesity including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver infiltration are rapidly emerging in the pediatric population. Identifying effective strategies for identifying and treating these obesity related comorbidities in children are crucial to the prevention of future cardiovascular disease and poor health outcomes.This review discusses the pathophysiologic connections between obesity, metabolic disease and cardiovascular risk. Current evidence and recommendations for screening and treatment for the metabolic consequences of pediatric obesity are reviewed.