Trial reportThe Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism2009
Comparison of simvastatin and metformin in treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: prospective randomized trial.
Trial report in The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2009. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 36 papers, 8 of them syntheses that pooled 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.
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.
Who cites it
36 citing papers in PubMed, 8 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 89 citations in OpenAlex.
- Statins for women with polycystic ovary syndrome not actively trying to conceive.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2023Pooled it
- The Effect of Statins on Levels of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research · 2019Pooled it
- Impact of metformin on C-reactive protein levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis.Oncotarget · 2017 · on this mapPooled it
- Interventions for hirsutism (excluding laser and photoepilation therapy alone).The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2015Pooled it
- An investigation into the therapeutic effects of statins with metformin on polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.BMJ open · 2015 · on this mapPooled it
- Diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2013 · on this mapGuideline
- The effect of statins on testosterone in men and women, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.BMC medicine · 2013Pooled it
- Circulating inflammatory markers in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and metaanalysis.Fertility and sterility · 2011Pooled it
- Pilot randomized trial of short-term changes in inflammation and lipid levels during and after aspirin and pravastatin therapy.Reproductive health · 2019Trial
- Inadequacy of initiating rosuvastatin then metformin on biochemical profile of polycystic ovarian syndrome patients.Journal of endocrinological investigation · 2015Trial
- Therapeutic implications of vitamin D and calcium in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome.Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology · 2012Trial
- Effects of simvastatin and metformin on polycystic ovary syndrome after six months of treatment.The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2011Trial
- Effects of atorvastatin on vascular function, inflammation, and androgens in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.Fertility and sterility · 2011Trial
- Potential Mechanisms Linking Excessive Testosterone to PMOS: Insights from Network Toxicology and Machine Learning.Metabolites · 2026Article
- Statins for polycystic ovary syndrome in varying resource settings: a phenome-wide association study and evidence synthesis.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025Article
- Ibuprofen Reduces Testosterone Level in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.Journal of the Endocrine Society · 2022Article
- Ibuprofen inhibits key genes involved in androgen production in theca-interstitial cells.F&S science · 2021Article
- A phenome-wide association study of genetically mimicked statins.BMC medicine · 2021Article
- Comparative efficacy of statins, metformin, spironolactone and combined oral contraceptives in reducing testosterone levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.BMC women's health · 2020Article
- Inflammatory Stimuli Trigger Increased Androgen Production and Shifts in Gene Expression in Theca-Interstitial Cells.Endocrinology · 2019Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
contextPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by ovarian dysfunction and hyperandrogenism; it is also associated with increased cardiovascular risks such as adverse lipid profile and endothelial dysfunction. Metformin and, more recently, statins have been shown to improve endocrine and metabolic aspects of PCOS.
objectiveThe aim of the study was to compare effects of simvastatin and metformin on PCOS.
designIn a prospective trial, women with PCOS (n = 136) were randomized to simvastatin (S), metformin (M), or simvastatin plus metformin (SM) groups. Evaluations were performed at baseline and after 3 months.
settingThe study was conducted at an academic medical center. PRIMARY OUTCOME: The change of serum total testosterone was measured.
resultsThe study was completed by 113 subjects. Total testosterone decreased significantly and comparably in all groups: by 17.1, 13.6, and 15.1%, respectively, in the S, M, and SM groups. Significant decreases were also observed in all groups with respect to body mass index, C-reactive protein, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. DHEAS declined significantly only in the S group. None of the treatments were associated with significant changes in LH or FSH. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly declined only in S and SM groups.
conclusionsSimvastatin treatment was superior to metformin alone, whereas a combination of simvastatin and metformin was not significantly superior to simvastatin alone.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
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.