The safety and efficacy of liraglutide combined with metformin in clinical treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome patients: a meta-analysis

ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effectiveness and safety of the combination of liraglutide and metformin for clinical treatment of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.MethodsComputerized searches were performed on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM, Wanfang, and VIP databases to collect randomized controlled trials(RCT) on the efficacy of metformin and liraglutide in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. The search period spanned from the inception of the databases to August 2024. Following literature screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment in the included studies, two reviewers independently conducted meta-analysis using RevMan 5.4 software.ResultsA total of 12 RCT involving 1096 patients were analyzed. The meta-analysis revealed that the group receiving metformin combined with liraglutide demonstrated superiority over the group receiving metformin alone in terms of body mass index (BMI), glucose levels, lipid levels, hormone levels, establishment of menstrual cycles, normal ovulation rate, and rate of spontaneous conception. However, the former group also exhibited a higher incidence of gastrointestinal reactions compared to the latter group.ConclusionCurrent data indicates that the combination of liraglutide and metformin can effectively enhance glucose and lipid metabolism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome infertility patients. Additionally, it can reduce serum sex hormone levels, leading to significant clinical therapeutic effects. This treatment also improves pancreatic islet and ovarian function, ultimately increasing the rate of ovulation and pregnancy. It is important to note that correct administration methods must be followed to minimize adverse reactions.