SynthesisBMC women's health2025
Effects of letrozole combined with clomiphene in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC women's health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Natural Bioactive Compounds in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Properties, Molecular Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Potential.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
- Integrative Approaches to Ovulation Induction in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Narrative Review of Conventional and Complementary Therapies.Biomedicines · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPCOS is a common endocrine gynecological disorder, and its associated hormonal abnormalities and ovulatory dysfunction are leading causes of infertility. Ovulation induction is considered a fundamental treatment for PCOS patients. Clomiphene and letrozole are currently widely used ovulation-inducing agents. This study employs meta-analysis to comprehensively and systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of letrozole combined with clomiphene in the treatment of PCOS.
objectiveThe aim of this study is to compare the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of letrozole combined with clomiphene in the treatment of PCOS, providing a theoretical basis for therapeutic decision-making.
methodsRCTs on letrozole combined with clomiphene for PCOS were retrieved from databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Medical Network, VIP Chinese Journal Service Platform, and CBM, with the search period spanning from database inception to March 2025. Data analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 and Stata software. Dichotomous variables were analyzed using RR with 95% CI, while continuous variables were assessed using SMD with 95% CI. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to evaluate the bias and risk of eligible studies. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias in included studies.
resultsA total of 10 studies involving 931 PCOS patients were included. Compared with the control group, letrozole combined with clomiphene significantly improved pregnancy rates (RR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.228-1.77, P < 0.00001), ovulation rates (RR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.15-1.444, P < 0.0001), and estradiol levels (SMD = -1.13, 95% CI: -2.02 to -0.24, P = 0.001). However, no significant effects were observed on luteinizing hormone levels (SMD = -0.48, 95% CI: -1.16 to 0.21, P = 0.17), follicle-stimulating hormone levels (SMD = -0.45, 95% CI: -1.08 to 0.17, P = 0.15), endometrial thickness (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI: -0.57 to 1.96, P = 0.28), number of mature follicles (SMD = 0.83, 95% CI: -0.26 to 1.93, P = 0.15), diameter of mature follicles (SMD = 0.77, 95% CI: -0.55 to 2.09, P = 0.25), miscarriage rates (RR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.81, P < 0.0001), or adverse effects (RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.23 to 2.64, P = 0.68).
conclusionLetrozole combined with clomiphene therapy helps improve ovulation rates, pregnancy rates, and hormonal levels in PCOS patients.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.