Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Clinical Trial
Official title:
Micronutrient Supplementation for Women With PCO-syndrome - Influence of Nutrition and Physiology on the Development of PCOS-typical Parameters
The role of micronutrients in fertility has recently gained increased attention. In women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and infertility, we aim to test the impact of a standardized, multinutrient supplementation on the course of PCOS-specific parameters namely anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), testosterone, and androstenedione. A total of 60 infertile women with PCOS, previously untreated, will be randomized to receive either a combined standardized multinutrient supplementation (containing folic acid, selenium, vitamin E, catechins, glycyrrhizin, coenzyme Q10 and omega-3-fatty acids; study group) or folic acid alone (control group) in a double-blinded, randomized manner. These study medications will be provided for 3 months and pre- to posttreatment levels of AMH, testosterone, and AMH will be analysed. The study will be performed at the Clinical Division of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine of the Medical University of Vienna.
Introduction and scientific background:
In the Western world, malnutrition and subfertility have become increasingly common problems
affecting both men and women. A recent study showed that conforming to nutritional
recommendations significantly increased the probability of a clinical pregnancy following
vitro fertilisation (IVF)/ intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI). They included fruit,
vegetables, certain types of meat, fish, whole-grain products and specific fats (according to
the Netherlands Nutrition Centre Foundation). Another study specifically analysed
preconceptional consumption of unsaturated fatty acids by women before IVF/ICSI. It
discovered a positive effect on the embryo's morphology.
The effect of micronutrients on female fertility is currently under investigation. A 2012
review on the subject included 13 studies with more than 90,000 female participants and
provided no generalised recommendations, but allowed the authors to deduce a certain positive
effect of supplementation with certain micronutrients on female fertility.
This current study will test the effect of a currently available micronutrient
supplementation in women suffering from polycystic ovary (PCO)-syndrome and sterility. The
product (PROfertil ® female, Lenus Pharma, Seeböckgasse 59, 1160 Vienna, Austria) is based on
several studies that showed (i) an increased need for these micronutrients of women with a
desire to have a child or currently pregnant and/or (ii) a positive effect on female
fertility. PROfertil ® female is a micronutrient supplement containing selenium, vitamin E,
catechins, glycyrrhizin, co-enzyme Q10, folic acid and omega-3 fatty acids.
This study seems of impact from a scientific perspective. Clinical experience with PROfertil
® female suggests that patients suffering from PCO-syndrome experience an increase of
anti-müllerian hormone and androgen levels. The reductive effect of PCO-typical serum
parameters can be explained pathophysiologically: A chronic low-level pro-inflammatory state
- both locally in the ovary and systemically - appears to be among the central
pathophysiological correlates of PCO-syndrome. PROfertil ® female contains a mix of several
antioxidative agents. A favourable effect on PCO-syndrome is expected. Metformin is an
anti-inflammatory substance commonly used to treat PCO-syndrome. The anti-inflammatory effect
is seen as positive. This explains why women suffering from PCO-syndrome without
insulin-glucose balance problems react positively to treatment with metformin.
The aim of this study is to perform a prospective randomized test comparing PROfertil ®
female to supplementation with folic acid alone for female patients suffering from
PCO-syndrome and infertility. Supplementation with folic acid is the current state of the art
in micronutrient supplementation of infertile women.
Study aims The primary aim of this study is to analyse the effects of three months of
treatment with PROfertil ® female compared to a supplementation with 400µg of folic acid for
women suffering from PCO-syndrome, sterility, anovulation. The study will examine the
parameters typical for PCO-syndrome (anti-müllerian hormone, total testosterone,
androstenedione).
The secondary goal is to document the individual course of further fertility treatment.
The products being administered to the patients for four weeks are:
- PROfertil ® female (Lenus Pharma Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung [GesmbH],
Seeböckgasse 59, 1160 Vienna; treatment group) - one soft capsule (500mg Omega-3-fatty
acids) and one pill (folic acid: 800µg, selenium 70µg, vitamin E 30mg, catechine: 4mg,
glycyrrhizin 12mg, and coenzyme Q10: 30mg) per day.
- 200µg folic acid (folic acid capsules 400µg ®, OTC Produktion und Forschung GesmbH,
Fischergasse 17, 5020 Salzburg; control group) - two capsules per day.
The study will be performed in a double-blinded manner. The medications are unlabeled for
both groups and will be dispensed in unlabeled blisters. However, patients could search for
the actual look of the PROfertil ® female soft capsules and the pills (for example on the
internet). Since they differ from the folic acid capsules, patients could identify the
control medications. The study team is aware of the fact that this kind of blinding is not
according to standards and could introduce some kind of bias.
Study hypotheses:
First hypothesis: A three-month treatment with PROfertil ® female causes a drop of
anti-müllerian hormone, total testosterone and androstenedione levels. This does not happen
if treated with 400µg folic acid.
Outcome parameters:
Primary outcome parameters: anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), total testosterone and
androstenedione levels
Study design:
Monocentric, prospective randomized double-blinded trial
Recruitment:
The participants are recruited by medical professionals at the Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology of the Medical University of Vienna using the above mentioned criteria during
routine examinations before any treatment for PCO-syndrome and/or sterility is initiated.
Potential participants are informed about the procedure, clinical relevance and possible
additional effort caused by study participation. The patients willing to participate then
have to sign the written informed consent.
Sample size calculation:
Assuming a reduction of the mean AMH levels by 2 ng/ml at a standard deviation of 3 ng/ml and
an alpha value of 0.05 and a power of 0.90, the paired t-test requires 26 patients per group.
Due to the fact that the participants wish to conceive a child and have been diagnosed with
sterility, a low drop-out rate can be expected. There is no reliable data on this or similar
treatments that allow prediction of the chance to conceive. Due to the favourable
benefit-to-risk profile, a 15% drop-out rate is assumed. This corresponds to 4 patients per
group. Thus, the final sample size is calculated as 30 patients per group, which leads to a
total study population of 60.
Statistical analysis:
The bio-statistician will randomise the data using nQuery advisorTM Version 7.0. The
information will then be packaged in an envelope by a person independent of the participating
medical professionals and other scientific personnel. This will only be opened after the
inclusion of the patient. Categorical variables will be presented as absolute numbers and
percentages, numerical variables as median and interquartile range.
The following statistical analyses are planned: The result parameters and the patient
characteristics of the two groups will be compared using the Welch test (for numerical
variables) and the Chi-square-test or Fisher's exact test (for categorical variables). A
p-value of <0.05 is considered to be statistically significant. The statistical analyses will
be performed using SPSS 24.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc, 1989-2017).
Further details on study design:
After recruiting the participants at the outpatient clinics for Gynecologic Endocrinology and
Infertility Treatment, they are randomly assigned to one of the groups.
Participants will receive either 2 unlabelled soft capsules containing 200µg folic acid each
or 1 unlabelled soft capsule containing omega-3 fatty acids and 1 tablet containing folic
acid, selenium, vitamin E, catechins, glycyrrhizin, and co-enzyme Q10 (see Table above for
details on doses).
The planned examination of AMH, total testosterone and androstenedione levels will take place
after a minimum of 90 days (and a maximum of 100 days) after beginning supplementation with
PROfertil ® female or folic acid. The maximum duration of participation is thus 100 days.
After taking the micronutrient supplementation (PROfertil ® female or folic acid) beyond the
planned minimum treatment duration, an individualised fertility treatment can be performed.
There are two study-specific consultations: After including the patient (consultation 1:
randomisation, distribution of drugs and start of study) and after 90 to 100 days
(consultation 2). During consultation 2, unused study blisters are collected and patients are
questioned on peculiarities and possible side effects of the micronutrient supplementation
used.
It is expected that 30 minutes for consultation 1 and 15 minutes for consultation 2 will have
to be spent by the patient. The consultations will be held during regular outpatient
treatments and will be part of the planned routine examinations. They include discussions of
examination results and recommendations for further treatment.
Benefits-to-risk assessment and preventive measures:
Risks or complications due to the use of PROfertil ® female and additional venepuncture are
not expected. A recent study using the same product showed no substance-related side effects
(number of the ethics committee of the Medical University of: 1659/2013; accepted on
2013-09-24) (9). A direct benefit for the treatment group is possible. A positive effect on
PCO syndrome can be assumed, which might result in a higher chance of pregnancy. The
substance administered to the control group is state of the art for female fertility
treatment.
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