Date of Award

Spring 2021

Degree Name

Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)

Department

Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences

First Advisor

Kim Erikson

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder that results from insulin resistance. Symptoms include chronic anovulation, polycystic ovaries, acne, hirsutism, and infertility. Although there is currently no cure for PCOS, treatments such as metformin, clomiphene citrate, and reproductive assistive techniques (IVF) have been used to target specific symptoms. Recent research has suggested that myo-inositol may be beneficial in the treatment of PCOS. Therefore, this review analyzes the addition of myo-inositol (I) in adult patients with PCOS (P) compared to current methods such as metformin, clomiphene citrate, and assisted therapies alone (C) in improving ovulation and fertility (O). A literature search was completed through Academic Search Ultimate, PubMed, and Google Scholar on November 2019. Seven articles were selected based on their relevance to the research question, study design, and results. The results of the studies suggest that myo-inositol may be effective in improving resumption of menstrual cycles, ovulation rates, pregnancy rates, and insulin levels. These studies did particularly well in the significance of their results, data analysis, and limited bias. However, it is still important to note that the studies did have some weaknesses such as small sample sizes and short duration of treatment. In clinical practice, myo-inositol could be considered for PCOS patients that have not responded to these common treatments alone. However, further research on long-term effects of myo-inositol on larger, more diverse populations is needed prior to implementing this new treatment in clinical practice.

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Mathews Capstone Presentation.mp4 (10749 kB)
Mathews Capstone References.docx (18 kB)
Mathews Capstone Abstract.docx (15 kB)

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Efficacy of Myo-inositol in the Treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder that results from insulin resistance. Symptoms include chronic anovulation, polycystic ovaries, acne, hirsutism, and infertility. Although there is currently no cure for PCOS, treatments such as metformin, clomiphene citrate, and reproductive assistive techniques (IVF) have been used to target specific symptoms. Recent research has suggested that myo-inositol may be beneficial in the treatment of PCOS. Therefore, this review analyzes the addition of myo-inositol (I) in adult patients with PCOS (P) compared to current methods such as metformin, clomiphene citrate, and assisted therapies alone (C) in improving ovulation and fertility (O). A literature search was completed through Academic Search Ultimate, PubMed, and Google Scholar on November 2019. Seven articles were selected based on their relevance to the research question, study design, and results. The results of the studies suggest that myo-inositol may be effective in improving resumption of menstrual cycles, ovulation rates, pregnancy rates, and insulin levels. These studies did particularly well in the significance of their results, data analysis, and limited bias. However, it is still important to note that the studies did have some weaknesses such as small sample sizes and short duration of treatment. In clinical practice, myo-inositol could be considered for PCOS patients that have not responded to these common treatments alone. However, further research on long-term effects of myo-inositol on larger, more diverse populations is needed prior to implementing this new treatment in clinical practice.