Date of Award
Spring 2021
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (Physician Assistant)
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Kimberly Erikson MSPAS PA-C
Abstract
Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting about 20% of women in reproductive age. PCOS is associated with many health risks, one of which is an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. There is no set treatment plan to help decrease the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, but some standard recommended treatments include lifestyle changes, oral contraceptive pill (OCP), and metformin. The review analyzes the potential benefit of adding statins as an adjunct therapy (I) to decrease the cardiometabolic disease risk (O) in women diagnosed with PCOS (P) compared to the current recommended intervention (C).
Methods: A literature search was done through PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar in November, 2019. A total of seven articles, consisting of six randomized control trials (RCT) and one cohort study, were selected based on their publication date and whether the article included statin as an intervention for women diagnosed with PCOS and its effect on cardiometabolic health risk. The study design and results of those articles were analyzed and assessed.
Results: The evidence collected by each study showed that statins brought a significant improvement on the patients’ lipid profiles, as well as a significant decrease in the patients’ serum C-reactive protein(CRP) levels, while showing no significant difference in the patients’ insulin resistance (IR). Most studies looked at statins as a monotherapy and saw significant effects on CRP levels and the lipid profiles. One study saw that statins used in addition to metformin brought significant change to the patients’ lipid profiles. Another study found that most of the benefits from statin occurred in the first three months, and at six months, there was no significant change to the lipid profile.
Discussion: The outcome measures analyzed in the studies varied slightly, but the most common biomarkers measured were the lipid profile, serum CRP level, and IR or insulin sensitivity. The validity assessment looked at the sample size, statistical power, and data analysis to see how effective the RCT studies were. As a result, the articles showed that statins had a significant role in improving the lipid profile and CRP levels in women with PCOS.
Conclusion: Statins have been recommended as first line treatments for hyperlipidemia, which has been shown to decrease cardiovascular disease (CVD). The RCT studies showed that statins as a monotherapy improved CRP levels and lipid profiles, while one showed statin in addition to metformin added further benefits to the lipid profile. There are not enough studies that show the benefits of statins as adjunct therapy, but more research is warranted to further investigate this topic.
Recommended Citation
Barre, Claire, "The benefits of statins as adjunct therapy for non-pregnant and non-lactating women diagnosed with PCOS" (2021). Capstone Showcase. 93.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2021/pa/93
The benefits of statins as adjunct therapy for non-pregnant and non-lactating women diagnosed with PCOS
Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting about 20% of women in reproductive age. PCOS is associated with many health risks, one of which is an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. There is no set treatment plan to help decrease the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, but some standard recommended treatments include lifestyle changes, oral contraceptive pill (OCP), and metformin. The review analyzes the potential benefit of adding statins as an adjunct therapy (I) to decrease the cardiometabolic disease risk (O) in women diagnosed with PCOS (P) compared to the current recommended intervention (C).
Methods: A literature search was done through PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar in November, 2019. A total of seven articles, consisting of six randomized control trials (RCT) and one cohort study, were selected based on their publication date and whether the article included statin as an intervention for women diagnosed with PCOS and its effect on cardiometabolic health risk. The study design and results of those articles were analyzed and assessed.
Results: The evidence collected by each study showed that statins brought a significant improvement on the patients’ lipid profiles, as well as a significant decrease in the patients’ serum C-reactive protein(CRP) levels, while showing no significant difference in the patients’ insulin resistance (IR). Most studies looked at statins as a monotherapy and saw significant effects on CRP levels and the lipid profiles. One study saw that statins used in addition to metformin brought significant change to the patients’ lipid profiles. Another study found that most of the benefits from statin occurred in the first three months, and at six months, there was no significant change to the lipid profile.
Discussion: The outcome measures analyzed in the studies varied slightly, but the most common biomarkers measured were the lipid profile, serum CRP level, and IR or insulin sensitivity. The validity assessment looked at the sample size, statistical power, and data analysis to see how effective the RCT studies were. As a result, the articles showed that statins had a significant role in improving the lipid profile and CRP levels in women with PCOS.
Conclusion: Statins have been recommended as first line treatments for hyperlipidemia, which has been shown to decrease cardiovascular disease (CVD). The RCT studies showed that statins as a monotherapy improved CRP levels and lipid profiles, while one showed statin in addition to metformin added further benefits to the lipid profile. There are not enough studies that show the benefits of statins as adjunct therapy, but more research is warranted to further investigate this topic.