Abstract
Objective This review sought to evaluate the strength and validity of the existing evidence for the use of Chinese medicine for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods We retrieved systematic evaluations and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating Chinese herbal interventions in polycystic ovaries, including the use of decoctions or Chinese patent medicines. The quality of these systematic evaluations was assessed using AMSTAR2 tools, and ovulation rate, pregnancy rate, effective rate, serum hormones (testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone), and adverse reactions were recorded. Finally, the reliability of each result was evaluated according to the GRADE system. Data Sources. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, CQVIP, and SINOMED databases were searched up to January 1, 2021. Outcomes. A total of 18 publications were included, all of which showed that PCOS symptoms were improved with Chinese medicine compared with control groups. However, most of the evaluations did not have good research designs and had issues with the analysis of their results. The reliability of most outcome measures was rated low or very low, and it is presumed that the reliability of the results was low due to the poor quality of the RCTs. Conclusions At present, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that improved efficacy is achieved by the combined use of Chinese and Western medicine compared with Western medicine alone in treating PCOS. Therefore, it is recommended that multicenter, large-sample RCTs adopting standard designs and rigorous methods be carried out in the future while introducing standardized assessment plans for the systematic review of clinical trials so as to improve the quality of the resulting clinical evidence.
Highlights
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder among women of reproductive age, and it is the main cause of anovulatory infertility [1]
Protocol and Registration. is study provides an overview of systematic evaluations based on existing recommendations and in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses (PRISMA) [14]. e review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42021242641)
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were searched for in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, QVIP, and SINOMED databases. e search period was set from the inception of the database to January 1, 2021, with literature only in Chinese or English included
Summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder among women of reproductive age, and it is the main cause of anovulatory infertility [1]. Patients often develop insulin resistance, obesity, and other metabolic disorders, which puts women with PCOS at a very high risk of developing diabetes [4, 5]. PCOS patients are prone to serious complications, and their risk of cardiovascular disease is higher than the general population [6], and they tend to suffer from fatty liver, metabolic syndrome, and other diseases [7, 8]. PCOS is often managed by controlled ovulation stimulation and androgen suppression. While these methods can achieve certain therapeutic effects, they may produce adverse effects such as vomiting and diarrhea [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
