Effects of letrozole combined with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate tablets on serum sex hormones and lipid metabolism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Kena Lu; Na Li; Min Zhang; Jiajing Lin; Jiaquan Chen

Effects of letrozole combined with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate tablets on serum sex hormones and lipid metabolism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Am J Transl Res. 2023 Feb 15;15(2):1271-1280. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Kena Lu¹, Na Li², Min Zhang³, Jiajing Lin⁴, Jiaquan Chen⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine Nanning 530023, Guangxi, China.
² Department of Paediatrics, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang Weifang 262500, Shandong, China.
³ Department of Joint Trauma Orthopaedics, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang Weifang 262500, Shandong, China.
⁴ Department of Gynecology, Liuzhou Worker's Hospital Liuzhou 530023, Guangxi, China.
⁵ Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Mudanjiang Medical College Mudanjiang 157000, Heilongjiang, China.

PMID: 36915753
PMCID: PMC10006778

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of letrozole combined with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate tablets on serum sex hormones and lipid metabolism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: Clinical data of 152 PCOS patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine from May 2019 to June 2021 were collected for a retrospective analysis. Among the patients, 73 treated with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate tablets alone were seen as control group (CG), and the rest 79 with letrozole combined with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate tablets were seen as observation group (OG). The treatment efficacy was observed, and the adverse reactions in the course of treatment were counted. The levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), estrogen (E₂), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were compared before and after treatment. The number of mature follicles, ovulation rate and pregnancy rate were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to detect the independent risk factors of ineffective efficacy.

Results: After the treatment, the total efficacy rate of the OG was higher than that of the CG (P<0.05); moreover, the levels of TC, TG, LDL, FSH, LH and T in OG were lower while HDL and E₂ were higher (all P<0.05) than those of the CG. Also, the number of mature follicles, ovulation rate and pregnancy rate were higher in OG than those in the CG (all P<0.05). There was no obvious difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the groups (P>0.05). Higher fasting glucose, higher Ferriman-Gallway hair score, single drug treatment regimen, higher systolic blood pressure, and lower E₂ before treatment were independent risk factors for ineffective treatment efficacy.

Conclusion: Letrozole combined with ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate tablets can enhance the treatment efficiency of PCOS and improve serum sex hormones and lipid metabolism in PCOS patients.

Keywords: Letrozole; ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate tablets; lipid metabolism; polycystic ovary syndrome; sex hormone.