Evidence map›Paper›PMID 12804496›Full record

SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2003

Combination contraceptives: effects on weight.

M F Gallo, D A Grimes, K F Schulz, F M Helmerhorst

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2003. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Protective effect of oral contraceptive againstEpidemiology and infection · 2021
    Article
  3. Article
  4. The metabolic syndrome in women.Nature clinical practice. Endocrinology & metabolism · 2007
    Review
  5. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

M F GalloClinical Research Department, Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, PO Box 13950, North Carolina 27713, USA. mgallo@fhi.org
D A Grimes
K F Schulz
F M Helmerhorst

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWeight gain is often attributed as a side effect of combination hormonal contraceptive, and many women and clinicians believe that an association exists. Concern about weight gain can limit the use of this highly effective method of contraception by deterring the initiation of its use and causing early discontinuation among users. Nevertheless, a causal relationship between combination contraceptives and weight gain has not been established.

objectivesThe aim of the review was to evaluate the association between combination contraceptive use and changes in weight. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the computerized databases MEDLINE, Popline, CENTRAL, EMBASE, and LILACS for studies of combination contraceptives. We also wrote to known investigators and manufacturers to request information about other published or unpublished trials not discovered in our search. SELECTION CRITERIA: All English-language, randomized controlled trials at least three treatment cycles in duration that compared a combination contraceptive to a placebo or with a combination contraceptive that differed in drug, dosage, regimen, and/or study length were eligible. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: All titles and abstracts located in the literature searches were assessed. Data were entered and analyzed with RevMan 4.1, and a second reviewer verified the data entered. Depending on the data available, the weighted mean difference using a fixed effects model with 95% confidence intervals was calculated for the mean change in weight between baseline and post-treatment measurements or the Peto odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals was calculated using the proportion of women who gained or lost more than a specified amount of weight. MAIN

resultsThe three placebo-controlled, randomized trials did not find evidence supporting a causal association between combination oral contraceptives or a combination skin patch and weight gain. Most comparisons of different combination contraceptives showed no substantial difference in weight. In addition, discontinuation of combination contraceptives because of weight gain did not differ between groups where this was studied. REVIEWER'S

conclusionsAvailable evidence is insufficient to determine the effect of combination contraceptives on weight, but no large effect is evident.

Indexed as

Weight GainBody WeightContraceptives, Oral, CombinedContraceptives, Oral, HormonalFemaleHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicContraceptives, Oral, CombinedContraceptives, Oral, Hormonal

Identifiers

PMID12804496

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.