Inositol for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis to Inform the 2023 Update of the International Evidence-Based PCOS Guidelines
Fitz V, Graca S, Mahalingaiah S, Liu J, Lai L, Butt A, Armour M, Ee C
Published in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Methodology
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 randomised trials of inositol (myo-inositol, D-chiro-inositol and combinations) in women with PCOS, conducted for the international PCOS guideline update.
Key Findings
Inositol improved fasting insulin and HOMA-IR versus placebo, with uncertain or low-certainty effects on ovulation, hirsutism, BMI and androgens; evidence specific to D-chiro-inositol alone was sparse.
Conclusions
Inositol may modestly improve insulin resistance in PCOS, but the certainty of evidence for clinical reproductive outcomes remains low.
Limitations
Heterogeneous formulations and doses; many small trials at high risk of bias; limited D-chiro-inositol-only data.
Supplements Studied
Inositol improved fasting insulin and HOMA-IR versus placebo, with low-certainty effects on ovulation, hirsutism and androgens.
Evidence suggests benefits for myo-inositol or D-chiro-inositol (DCI) for some metabolic measures and potential benefits from DCI for ovulation, but inositol may have no effect on other outcomes.
Outcomes Measured
Effects on ovulation and clinical reproductive outcomes were of low certainty.
The evidence supporting the use of inositol in the management of PCOS is limited and inconclusive
Inositol improved fasting insulin and HOMA-IR versus placebo.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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