Randomized controlled trial comparing letrozole with laparoscopic ovarian drilling in women with clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome

Liu,Wei; Dong,Shengnan; Li,Yumei; Shi,Lihong; Zhou,Wei; Liu,Yingling; Liu,Jie; Ji,Yazhong

doi:10.3892/etm.2015.2690

Randomized controlled trial comparing letrozole with laparoscopic ovarian drilling in women with clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome

Authors:
- Wei Liu
- Shengnan Dong
- Yumei Li
- Lihong Shi
- Wei Zhou
- Yingling Liu
- Jie Liu
- Yazhong Ji
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Affiliations: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central South University Affiliated to Xiang Ya Hospital of Reproductive Center, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China, Translational Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, P.R. China
Published online on: August 19, 2015 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2015.2690
Pages: 1297-1302
Copyright: © Liu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the reproductive outcomes of letrozole and laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) in women with clomiphene citrate (CC)‑resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A total of 141 women with CC‑resistant PCOS were enrolled and randomly allocated into groups A and B. Group A (n=71) received 2.5 mg letrozole from days 5 to 10 of menses for up to six cycles, and group B (n=70) underwent LOD. A 6‑month follow‑up was performed. No statistically significant difference was found in the baseline clinical characteristics and the major serum hormone profiles, including luteinizing hormone, follicle‑stimulating hormone, estradiol and free testosterone, between the two groups. Women receiving letrozole had a lower rate of spontaneous abortion (6.9 vs. 15.8%) and higher clinical pregnancy (40.8 vs. 27.1%) and live birth (38.0 vs. 22.9%) rates; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Letrozole had superior reproductive outcomes compared with LOD in women with CC‑resistant PCOS; therefore, letrozole could be used as the first-line treatment for women with CC-resistant PCOS.

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