Clomiphene citrate and dexamethazone in treatment of clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of adding dexamethazone (DEX) (high dose, short course) to clomiphene citrate (CC) in CC-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with normal dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) in induction of ovulation. METHODS: Eighty infertile women with CC-resistant PCOS were randomly assigned into two groups. Group I: Clomiphene citrate 100 mg/day was given from day 3 to day 7 of the cycle and DEX 2 mg/day from day 3 to day 12 of the cycle. Group II: Same protocol of CC combined with placebo (folic acid tablets) was given from day 3 to day 12 of the cycle. The main outcome was ovulation. Secondary measures included number of follicles > 18 mm endometrial thickness and pregnancy rate. Ovarian follicular response was monitored by transvaginal ultrasound. HCG 10 000 U was given when at least one follicle measured 18 mm, and timed intercourse was advised. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between groups as regards age, duration of infertility, BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR), menstrual pattern, hirsutism, serum DHEAS or day of HCG administration. The mean number of follicles > 18 mm at the time of HCG administration and the mean endometrial thickness were significantly higher in the DEX group than in the placebo group (P < 0.05). Similarly, there were significantly higher rates of ovulation (75 versus 15%) (P < 0.001) and pregnancy (40 versus 5%) (P < 0.05) in the DEX group. Dexamethazone was very well tolerated as no patients complained of any side effect. There was a significant difference between the responders and non-responders in the presence of oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea or hirsutism. CONCLUSION: Induction of ovulation by adding DEX (high dose, short course) to CC in CC-resistant PCOS with normal DHEAS is associated with no adverse anti-estrogenic effect on the endometrium and higher ovulation and pregnancy rates in a significant number of patients. Induction with DEX appears to be independent on age, period of infertility, BMI or WHR.