Kar 2015.
Methods | RCT Setting: India (private hospital) Method of randomisation: envelopes prepared by a nurse "naive to this study" Blinding: double‐blind Number randomised: 105 |
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Participants | Summary: metformin and CC vs CC vs metformin in Asian Indian women with "treatment naive" PCOS
Inclusion criteria: history of infertility and oligomenorrhoea, meeting the Rotterdam criteria for PCOS Normal male factor, at least 1 patent tube by hysterosalpingography, treatment naive Exclusion criteria: any major systemic illness Baseline characteristics of each group: metformin and CC (n = 24) vs metformin (n = 24) vs CC (n = 32)
Dropouts: 25 (3 in the CC group, 11 in metformin group, 11 in combined group) |
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Interventions | Main intervention: 3 equal groups. Group 1: CC 50‐150 mg/d. Group 2: metformin 1700 mg/d. Group 3: CC plus metformin, doses as above) Duration: 6 months, or until pregnant, or until resistant to CC Co‐interventions: not applicable |
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Outcomes | Primary: live birth rate Secondary: ovulation: follicle tracking on US, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage |
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Notes | We have contacted the study authors for further information regarding methodology No units provided for fasting insulin and fasting glucose levels |
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Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Unclear risk | Method of generating random sequence for distribution in envelopes not stated |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | Allocation revealed in envelopes but not clear if opaque or sealed |
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes | Low risk | Participants and personnel were blinded |
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | Blinding of investigators unclear |
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | High risk | 22.9% dropout rate, without reasons given Data analysis not performed as ITT |
Selective reporting (reporting bias) | Unclear risk | Insufficient information in the study. 3‐arm study however data presented for all 3 arms clearly |
Other bias | Low risk | No evidence of other bias |