Use of an aromatase inhibitor in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective randomized trial

Bayar, Ü., Basaran, M., Kiran, S. , Coskun, A. and Gezer, S. (2006) Use of an aromatase inhibitor in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective randomized trial. Fertility and Sterility, 86(5), pp. 1447-1451. (doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.04.026) (PMID:17070196)

Abstract

Objective: To compare the use of an aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) with the use of clomiphene citrate (CC). Design: Prospective randomized study. Setting: An infertility clinic in a university hospital. Patient(s): Seventy-four consecutive infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were recruited. Thirty-eight patients were randomized to the letrozole group (99 cycles), and the remaining patients were recruited to the CC group (95 cycles). Intervention(s): The aromatase inhibitor letrozole (2.5 mg/d) and CC (100 mg/d) were administered orally on days 3–7 of menses. Main Outcome Measure(s): Number of follicles, endometrial thickness, E2 levels on hCG day, and pregnancy rates among both groups. Result(s): Ovulation occurred in 65.7% (65/99) of letrozole cycles and in 74.7% (71/95) of CC cycles. The median (minimum–maximum) number of follicles sized >15 mm in diameter on the day of hCG administration were 1 (0–4) and 1 (0–5) in the letrozole and CC groups, respectively. On the day of hCG administration, median serum E2 concentrations in the letrozole and CC groups were statistically significantly different: 189 pg/mL (18–1,581 pg/mL) and 386 pg/mL (27–6,190 pg/mL), respectively. The median serum E2 concentrations per follicle sized >15 mm in diameter on the day of hCG also statistically significantly differed between the letrozole and CC groups: 160 pg/mL (18–808 pg/mL) and 281 pg/mL (27–2,615 pg/mL), respectively. The median endometrial thickness on the day of hCG did not significantly differ between the CC and letrozole groups; it was 8 mm. Pregnancy was achieved in nine cycles (9.1%) of the letrozole group and in seven cycles (7.4%) of the CC group, which also was not a statistically significant difference. Conclusion(s): The aromatase inhibitor letrozole may be an acceptable alternative to CC as an ovulation-induction drug in patients with PCOS.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kiran, Professor Sibel
• Authors: Bayar, Ü., Basaran, M., Kiran, S., Coskun, A., and Gezer, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: Fertility and Sterility
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0015-0282
• ISSN (Online): 1556-5653
• Published Online: 24 October 2006