Simultaneous Letrozole and Clomiphene Citrate versus Letrozole Alone in Clomiphene Citrate Resistant Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of anovulatory infertility. The therapeutic strategies for clomiphene citrate (CC)- resistant patients include the addition of corticosteroids, extended duration of clomiphene, gonadotrophin therapy, laparoscopic ovarian drilling, in vitro fertilization or the use of aromatase inhibitors recently. Letrozole decreases estrogen levels in the body, so it releases the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland from the negative feedback of estrogen. This increases levels of gonadotrophins, which stimulates follicular growth. Objectives: To evaluate the role of letrozole alone and simultaneous use of letrozole and clomiphene citrate (CC) for ovulation induction in patients with clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS (CCR-PCOS). Patients and Methods: This open-label randomised controlled study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt during the period from February 2018 to June 2019. The study included 60 CCR-PCOS patients who were randomly allocated by independent personnel into two arms: group A (letrozole alone) or B (letrozole + CC). In either group, monitoring the mean follicular diameter and endometrial thickness in the days 10, 12, and 14 of the cycle by transvaginal ultrasound and Measurement of serum Progesterone (ng/ml) 7 days after the expected time of ovulation. Results: We investigated various clinical and sonographic factors that may predict the outcome of the method of induction of ovulation in CCR-PCOS with no significant affection for the results. There was a non-significant difference between the studied groups regarding ovulation and pregnancy per cycle or per patient. Conclusion: Letrozole alone or simultaneous use of letrozole and CC offers a good second-line option for induction of ovulation in CCR-PCOS patients. However, the combination of CC and letrozole did not add any benefit over the use of letrozole alone regards ovulation rate, follicular volume, endometrial thickness, pregnancy rate and live birth rate.