Clinical Research Directory

Semaglutide in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Obesity

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that is frequently associated with metabolic features, including obesity. Improvement of metabolic manifestations helps in the control of symptoms, including subfertility. Metformin has been commonly used to decrease insulin resistance and weight in PCOS patients suffering from obesity. Glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) agonist semaglutide is also effective in managing different metabolic features, including obesity and insulin resistance. There is limited data about using a combination of semaglutide and metformin in women with PCOS suffering from obesity. This study aims to compare the metabolic changes after giving a combination of low-dose semaglutide and metformin vs. metformin alone over 12 weeks among women with PCOS and obesity. This open label randomized trial will be conducted in the Department of Endocrinology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). After obtaining informed written consent, a total of 30 patients with PCOS and obesity will be enrolled conveniently (sampling) in the study as per inclusion and exclusion criteria from the outdoor, indoor, and PCOS clinic, Endocrinology, BSMMU. Study participants will be divided into two groups randomly by a computerized random number generator (allocation). One study arm will be treated with low-dose subcutaneous semaglutide (0.25 mg/week for 4 weeks followed by 0.5mg per week for 12 weeks) in combination with metformin (500 mg bid). Another study arm will receive monotherapy with metformin (500 mg bid) for treatment. Both arms will receive standard unified lifestyle advices. Patients will be followed every four weeks for clinical data for up to twelve weeks. Laboratory tests will be done at baseline and the final follow-up in an 8 - 12 hours of fasting state. Two mL of blood will be used to measure glucose using the glucose oxidase method on the same day of sample collection. The remaining three mL of blood will be centrifuged, the serum will be separated and analyzed for insulin, TT, SHBG, ALT and lipid profiles on the same day. All the clinical and biochemical information will be documented in a pretested, semi-structured case record form. Recorded data will be entered, edited, and analyzed by SPSS software version 25.0. Data will be expressed as frequencies \& percentages (%) for qualitative values and mean \& standard deviation (±SD) or median \& inter-quartile range (IQR) for quantitative values depending on their distribution. Kaplan Meier Curve will be used to show the comparison between primary outcomes. For quantitative variables, a comparison between two groups will be done using Mann-Whitney U test, and within a group, a paired t-test or Wilcoxon test will be used. For qualitative variables, a comparison between two groups will be tested using Pearson's chi-square test and within the group by the McNemar test. Regression Analysis will be done to correlate between treatment and outcome. Any p-value below 0.05 will be considered statistically significant. Confidentiality will be strictly maintained. Informed written consent will be taken from patients.

Metabolic and Hormonal Parameters in Women With Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome

Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and an increased risk of long-term metabolic complications. Fetuin-A and resistin are adipokines implicated in insulin resistance and chronic inflammation and may serve as potential biomarkers for metabolic dysfunction in women with PMOS. This prospective observational case-control study aims to compare serum and salivary Fetuin-A and resistin levels between women with PMOS and healthy controls. The study will evaluate the correlation between serum and salivary biomarker concentrations and investigate their associations with insulin resistance, lipid profile, and hormonal parameters. The findings may help determine whether salivary measurements can serve as reliable non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and metabolic assessment of PMOS.

Effects of Metformin and Theory-Based Education in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition associated with metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance, impaired glucose regulation, and abnormal lipid levels. Metformin is commonly used to improve metabolic outcomes in women with PCOS, while lifestyle modification and behavioral education are important components of PCOS management. This study evaluates whether metformin, alone or combined with a theory-based behavioral educational program, is associated with changes in metabolic, vitamin B12, iron-status, erythropoietin, and hematological parameters compared with matching placebo. This is a prospective, three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted among women aged 18-40 years with specialist-confirmed PCOS in Ministry of Health obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Jordan. A total of 900 participants were initially randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive matching placebo, metformin, or metformin combined with a theory-based behavioral educational program. The metformin groups received 1500 mg/day, administered as 500 mg three times daily, for six months. The combined intervention group additionally received five structured educational sessions addressing PCOS self-management, healthy dietary practices, physical activity, weight and waist management, metformin adherence, sleep, stress management, problem solving, and maintenance of healthy behaviors. Clinical and laboratory outcomes were assessed at baseline and after six months. The primary outcomes include changes in anthropometric, metabolic, vitamin B12, iron-status, erythropoietic, and hematological parameters. Changes in PCOS-related knowledge and lifestyle practices were also evaluated among participants receiving the combined intervention.

Relationship Between Metformin Treatment, Anemia, and Erythropoietin Levels in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Jordan

This prospective longitudinal interventional study aims to evaluate the effects of routine metformin therapy on metabolic, iron-related, erythropoietin, lipid, and hematological parameters in adult women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Participants diagnosed with PCOS according to established diagnostic criteria receive routine metformin therapy for six months as part of standard clinical care. Clinical and laboratory assessments are performed at baseline, three months, and six months to evaluate changes in insulin resistance, fasting blood glucose, fasting serum insulin, serum ferritin, serum iron, erythropoietin (EPO), lipid profile, and hematological indices. The study also examines the relationships between metabolic, iron-related, and hematological biomarkers during metformin treatment.

Health-related Quality of Life of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome At Sohag University Hospital

It is well-established that PCOS women suffer from anxiety, depression, and markedly reduced QoL ,but There has not yet been a nationally representative study to evaluate the PCOS health related Qol and factors affecting it among women in Egypt. So here we try to cover this gap in this study that will be designed to record the QOL of women with PCOS and factors affecting it. This study aims to assess the health related quality of life of polycystic ovary syndrome and determine factors affecting the HRQOL