Effect of lifestyle modification and metformin therapy on emerging cardiovascular risk factors in overweight Indian women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract Introduction: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is common among women of reproductive age. Although traditional cardiac risk factors are known to be altered and improved with short-term metformin therapy, not much is known about novel cardiac risk factors. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lifestyle modification and short-term metformin therapy on the fasting serum lipids, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and serum homocysteine. Methods: Native overweight [body mass index (BMI) >23 kg/m2] Indian women diagnosed with PCOS were evaluated and subjected to an oral glucose tolerance test and determination of insulin, homocysteine, hsCRP, and fasting lipids levels. They were started on maximally tolerated doses of metformin along with lifestyle modification. Following 3 months of therapy, they were resampled. Results: Out of 36 consecutive patients included, 25 women completed 3 months of metf...