Trial reportBMC women's health2025

Comparative effects of empagliflozin and metformin on metabolic dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome, a double blinded randomized control feasibility trial.

Hina Sharif, Sana Arsalan, Naureen Rehman, Ammara Muzammil, Farida Hatif, Farah Wasti, Sana Rehman, Nadia Mohsin, Rizwana Nasir, Wajiha Omair

Registry-linked trialAbstract readRandomized Controlled TrialComparative StudyEquivalence Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC women's health, 2025. The graph read 12 numbers from its abstract, feeding 6 cells of the map, but none could be read as for or against, so it casts no vote. It is linked to trial NCT06140108 (Comparing the Effects of Empagliflozin and Metformin on Metabolic Dysfunction in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome With or Without Comorbidity or Multimorbidity), which is not on this map. Cited by 3 papers.

12numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

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.

Read, but not usablea number the graph found but could not read as for or against

WeightDrug A (Metformin) vs baselinedescribes a change within one group, not a comparison · t2d, gdmfeeds one cell of the map
Δ 0.90
For weight, the MDs were 0.9 ± 1.4 kg for Drug A and 6.7 ± 1.6 kg for Drug B.
Total cholesterolDrug A (Metformin) vs baselinedescribes a change within one group, not a comparison · t2d, gdmfeeds one cell of the map
Δ -18.3
In terms of lipid profiles, total cholesterol decreased by 18.3 ± 4.7 mg/dL in the Drug A group and by 34.9 ± 3.7 mg/dL in the Drug B group.
WeightDrug B (Empagliflozin) vs baselinedescribes a change within one group, not a comparison · t2d, gdmfeeds one cell of the map
Δ 6.70
For weight, the MDs were 0.9 ± 1.4 kg for Drug A and 6.7 ± 1.6 kg for Drug B.
LDL cholesterolDrug B (Empagliflozin) vs baselinedescribes a change within one group, not a comparison · t2d, gdmfeeds one cell of the map
Δ -31.1
Similarly, LDL cholesterol reductions were 22.4 ± 5.6 mg/dL for Drug A and 31.1 ± 4.9 mg/dL for Drug B.
TriglyceridesDrug B (Empagliflozin) vs baselinedescribes a change within one group, not a comparison · t2d, gdmfeeds one cell of the map
Δ -72.8
Triglycerides also decreased, with reductions of 46.2 ± 11.4 mg/dL in the Drug A group and 72.8 ± 7.0 mg/dL in the Drug B group.
LDL cholesterolDrug A (Metformin) vs baselinedescribes a change within one group, not a comparison · t2d, gdmfeeds one cell of the map
Δ -22.4
Similarly, LDL cholesterol reductions were 22.4 ± 5.6 mg/dL for Drug A and 31.1 ± 4.9 mg/dL for Drug B.
TriglyceridesDrug A (Metformin) vs baselinedescribes a change within one group, not a comparison · t2d, gdmfeeds one cell of the map
Δ -46.2
Triglycerides also decreased, with reductions of 46.2 ± 11.4 mg/dL in the Drug A group and 72.8 ± 7.0 mg/dL in the Drug B group.
HDL cholesterolDrug B (Empagliflozin) vs baselinedescribes a change within one group, not a comparison · t2d, gdmfeeds one cell of the map
Δ 25.2
Additionally, HDL cholesterol levels increased by 17.0 ± 3.2 mg/dL for Drug A and 25.2 ± 2.0 mg/dL for Drug B.
HbA1cDrug A (Metformin) vs baselinedescribes a change within one group, not a comparison · t2d, gdmfeeds one cell of the map
Δ -0.40
Finally, the HbA1c level was 0.4 ± 0.07% for Drug A and 0.9 ± 0.2% for Drug B.
HbA1cDrug B (Empagliflozin) vs baselinedescribes a change within one group, not a comparison · t2d, gdmfeeds one cell of the map
Δ -0.90
Finally, the HbA1c level was 0.4 ± 0.07% for Drug A and 0.9 ± 0.2% for Drug B.
HDL cholesterolDrug A (Metformin) vs baselinedescribes a change within one group, not a comparison · t2d, gdmfeeds one cell of the map
Δ 17.0
Additionally, HDL cholesterol levels increased by 17.0 ± 3.2 mg/dL for Drug A and 25.2 ± 2.0 mg/dL for Drug B.
Total cholesterolDrug B (Empagliflozin) vs baselinedescribes a change within one group, not a comparison · t2d, gdmfeeds one cell of the map
Δ -34.9
In terms of lipid profiles, total cholesterol decreased by 18.3 ± 4.7 mg/dL in the Drug A group and by 34.9 ± 3.7 mg/dL in the Drug B group.

clause the extractor read what became the number

2 · Its place on the map

Where it lands on the map

Rows are treatments, columns are outcomes. The coloured squares are the cells this paper feeds, coloured by the vote it casts there. Click one to jump to what this paper adds to it.

supports the treatmentfavours the comparatorno clear differenceread, but no usable result
3 · What it changes

What it adds to each cell

For every cell the paper feeds: the belief in the claim with and without this paper, and this paper's estimate drawn against every other readable study in the cell. The ringed dot is this paper.

Metformin×body weight & composition

No readable resultOpen on the map →What to test next →

19 readable studies in this cell: 7 favour the treatment, 6 find no difference, 6 favour the comparator.

Belief with this paper
0.50contested · 8 families support, 4 contradict · against placebo
Without itNot a counted family in this claim, so removing it changes nothing.
← favours the comparatorfavours the treatment →
0 · no effect
NCT018093271,186 enrolled · 2013
Δ -0.90-1.60 to -0.20
NCT008598981,093 enrolled · 2009
Δ -1.37-2.03 to -0.71
NCT00643851994 enrolled · 2008
Δ -0.05-0.72 to 0.61
NCT02932475831 enrolled · 2017
Δ 0.04
NCT00676338820 enrolled · 2008
Δ -0.04-0.61 to 0.53
NCT02980276535 enrolled · 2017
Δ -0.70-1.30 to -0.20
Δ 17.05.00 to 29.0
increase 1.26-0.24 to 2.75
weight loss -16.2-60.2 to -4.40

This paper's own estimate is on a different scale from the rest of the cell, so it is not drawn here.

Metformin×lipids

No readable resultOpen on the map →What to test next →

10 readable studies in this cell: 4 favour the treatment, 5 find no difference, 1 favour the comparator.

Belief with this paper
0.50contested · 3 families support, 1 contradict · against placebo
Without itNot a counted family in this claim, so removing it changes nothing.
← favours the comparatorfavours the treatment →
0 · no effect
NCT00676338820 enrolled · 2008
Δ -0.01-0.18 to 0.15
NCT00386100688 enrolled · 2006
Δ -11.3-20.6 to -0.90
NCT00727857600 enrolled · 2007
Δ 23.4-44.6 to 91.4
NCT00868790118 enrolled · 2009
Δ -3.90-10.2 to 2.30
NCT0158944577 enrolled · 2008
Δ -9.06-88.0 to 118

This paper's own estimate is on a different scale from the rest of the cell, so it is not drawn here.

Metformin×glycemic control

No readable resultOpen on the map →What to test next →

40 readable studies in this cell: 41 favour the treatment, 13 find no difference, 7 favour the comparator.

Belief with this paper
0.84replicated · 32 families support, 6 contradict · against placebo
Without itNot a counted family in this claim, so removing it changes nothing.
← favours the treatmentfavours the comparator →
0 · no effect
NCT017190031,413 enrolled · 2012
Adjusted mean -0.72-0.95 to -0.48
NCT018093271,186 enrolled · 2013
Δ -0.40-0.59 to -0.21
NCT022730501,136 enrolled · 2014
Δ -0.89-1.08 to -0.69
NCT008598981,093 enrolled · 2009
Δ -0.53-0.74 to -0.32
Δ -0.85-43.8 to 26.7
NCT00643851994 enrolled · 2008
Δ -0.86-1.11 to -0.62
NCT01708902876 enrolled · 2012
Δ -1.00-1.23 to -0.78
NCT00676338820 enrolled · 2008
Δ -0.05-0.26 to 0.17
NCT01126580807 enrolled · 2010
Δ -0.22-0.36 to -0.08
NCT01023581784 enrolled · 2009
Δ -0.67-0.96 to -0.37
NCT01076088744 enrolled · 2010
Δ -0.84-1.15 to -0.52
NCT00386100688 enrolled · 2006
Δ -0.49-0.67 to -0.30

This paper's own estimate is on a different scale from the rest of the cell, so it is not drawn here.

SGLT2 inhibitors×body weight & composition

No readable resultOpen on the map →What to test next →

40 readable studies in this cell: 62 favour the treatment, 9 find no difference, 2 favour the comparator.

Belief with this paper
0.98established · 50 families support, 1 contradict · against placebo
Without itNot a counted family in this claim, so removing it changes nothing.
← favours the treatmentfavours the comparator →
0 · no effect
NCT010326294,330 enrolled · 2009
Δ -2.96-3.47 to -2.45
NCT010956661,484 enrolled · 2010
Δ -1.10-1.65 to -0.56
NCT009688121,452 enrolled · 2009
Δ -5.20-5.70 to -4.70
NCT017190031,413 enrolled · 2012
Adjusted mean -2.50-3.33 to -1.68
NCT011066771,284 enrolled · 2010
Δ -2.40-3.00 to -1.80
NCT016060071,282 enrolled · 2012
Δ -2.05-2.73 to -1.37
NCT006732311,240 enrolled · 2008
Δ -1.00-1.50 to -0.49
NCT020991101,233 enrolled · 2014
Δ -1.85-2.48 to -1.22
NCT006609071,217 enrolled · 2008
Δ -4.65-5.14 to -4.17
NCT018093271,186 enrolled · 2013
Δ -0.90-1.60 to -0.20
NCT010956531,179 enrolled · 2010
Δ -1.37-2.01 to -0.73
NCT008598981,093 enrolled · 2009
Δ -1.97-2.64 to -1.30

This paper's own estimate is on a different scale from the rest of the cell, so it is not drawn here.

SGLT2 inhibitors×lipids

No readable resultOpen on the map →What to test next →

9 readable studies in this cell: 3 favour the treatment, 6 find no difference, 0 favour the comparator.

Belief with this paper
1.00replicated · 2 families support, 0 contradict · against placebo
Without itNot a counted family in this claim, so removing it changes nothing.
← favours the comparatorfavours the treatment →
0 · no effect
NCT010326294,330 enrolled · 2009
Hodges-Lehman Estimate 0.02-0.04 to 0.07
NCT011066771,284 enrolled · 2010
Δ 2.30-3.90 to 8.50
NCT018093271,186 enrolled · 2013
Δ 5.301.20 to 9.50
NCT01137812756 enrolled · 2010
Δ -2.30-9.80 to 5.30
NCT01106651716 enrolled · 2010
Δ -4.80-12.1 to 2.50
NCT01081834678 enrolled · 2010
Δ -5.30-14.8 to 4.10
NCT01106625469 enrolled · 2010
Δ -6.20-16.9 to 4.50
NCT01106690344 enrolled · 2010
Δ -12.1-12.1 to -0.90

This paper's own estimate is on a different scale from the rest of the cell, so it is not drawn here.

SGLT2 inhibitors×glycemic control

No readable resultOpen on the map →What to test next →

40 readable studies in this cell: 81 favour the treatment, 11 find no difference, 4 favour the comparator.

Belief with this paper
0.92replicated · 70 families support, 6 contradict · against placebo
Without itNot a counted family in this claim, so removing it changes nothing.
← favours the treatmentfavours the comparator →
0 · no effect
NCT010326294,330 enrolled · 2009
Δ 2.79-1.57 to 7.15
NCT011374742,996 enrolled · 2010
Δ -0.46-0.59 to -0.33
NCT011956622,245 enrolled · 2010
Δ -0.61-0.76 to -0.46
NCT010956661,484 enrolled · 2010
Δ -0.59-0.76 to -0.42
NCT009688121,452 enrolled · 2009
Δ -0.01-0.11 to 0.09
NCT017190031,413 enrolled · 2012
Adjusted mean -0.33-0.56 to -0.10
NCT011066771,284 enrolled · 2010
Δ -0.62-0.76 to -0.48
NCT016060071,282 enrolled · 2012
Δ -0.59-0.81 to -0.37
NCT006732311,240 enrolled · 2008
Δ -0.45-0.59 to -0.31
NCT020991101,233 enrolled · 2014
Δ -0.43-0.60 to -0.27
NCT006609071,217 enrolled · 2008
Δ 0.00-0.11 to 0.11
NCT018093271,186 enrolled · 2013
Δ -0.46-0.66 to -0.27

This paper's own estimate is on a different scale from the rest of the cell, so it is not drawn here.

4 · The registry

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.

NCT06140108 phase2 / phase3completednot on this map

Comparing the Effects of Empagliflozin and Metformin on Metabolic Dysfunction in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome With or Without Comorbidity or Multimorbidity

TypeinterventionalSponsorSINA Health Education and Welfare TrustRan2023 to 2024Enrolled70ConditionsPolycystic Ovary Syndrome, Weight Gain, HbA1cArmsEmpagliflozin 10 MG, MetFORMIN 500 Mg Oral Tablet
5 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Metformin Beyond Glycemic Control: Cardiovascular Protection and Diabetes Prevention.Journal of cardiovascular development and disease · 2026
    Review
  3. Article
6 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

7 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Hina SharifResearch & Publication Department, SINA Health Education & Welfare Trust, Karachi, Pakistan. Hina.shf19@gmail.com.
Sana ArsalanResearch & Publication Department, SINA Health Education & Welfare Trust, Karachi, Pakistan.
Naureen RehmanCommunity Health Science Department, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Ammara MuzammilCommunity Health Science Department, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Farida HatifResearch & Publication Department, SINA Health Education & Welfare Trust, Karachi, Pakistan.
Farah WastiResearch & Publication Department, SINA Health Education & Welfare Trust, Karachi, Pakistan.
Sana RehmanResearch & Publication Department, SINA Health Education & Welfare Trust, Karachi, Pakistan.
Nadia MohsinResearch & Publication Department, SINA Health Education & Welfare Trust, Karachi, Pakistan.
Rizwana NasirResearch & Publication Department, SINA Health Education & Welfare Trust, Karachi, Pakistan.
Wajiha OmairResearch & Publication Department, SINA Health Education & Welfare Trust, Karachi, Pakistan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

8 · The paper itself

Abstract

The marked sentences are the ones the graph read a number from.

objectivesTo determine the safety and efficacy of empagliflozin compared with those of metformin in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with insulin resistance (IR).

methodA single-center, prospective, double-blind randomized (1:1 ratio) noninferiority trial was conducted at the primary healthcare organization in slums between December 2023 and June 2024. Women aged 18-45 years with PCOS were enrolled and randomly assigned to either 10 mg (n = 41) empagliflozin daily or metformin 500 mg twice a day (n = 39) for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was changes in metabolic parameters and weight after 24 weeks of treatment. STATA software version 17 was used for statistical analysis, independent t tests were used for continuous variables, and Welch's correction was applied when variances were unequal. Categorical variables were compared via Fischer exact tests or chi-square (X

resultComparing the outcomes before and after treatment on the basis of the mean differences (MDs) revealed significant changes in various outcomes for both Drug A (Metformin) and Drug B (Empagliflozin). For weight, the MDs were 0.9 ± 1.4 kg for Drug A and 6.7 ± 1.6 kg for Drug B. In terms of lipid profiles, total cholesterol decreased by 18.3 ± 4.7 mg/dL in the Drug A group and by 34.9 ± 3.7 mg/dL in the Drug B group. Additionally, HDL cholesterol levels increased by 17.0 ± 3.2 mg/dL for Drug A and 25.2 ± 2.0 mg/dL for Drug B. Similarly, LDL cholesterol reductions were 22.4 ± 5.6 mg/dL for Drug A and 31.1 ± 4.9 mg/dL for Drug B. Triglycerides also decreased, with reductions of 46.2 ± 11.4 mg/dL in the Drug A group and 72.8 ± 7.0 mg/dL in the Drug B group. For fasting blood sugar (FBS), the MD was 28 ± 4.0 mg/dL for Drug A and 26.4 ± 3.6 mg/dL for Drug B. Finally, the HbA1c level was 0.4 ± 0.07% for Drug A and 0.9 ± 0.2% for Drug B.

conclusionThis study suggested that empagliflozin may offer greater metabolic benefits than metformin in overweight women with PCOS and prediabetes, although the adjusted results were not significantly different. These findings support the potential of SGLT2 inhibitors as alternative or add-on therapies.

trial registrationThe clinical trial registration number was NCT06140108 in https://register. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/ registration date 11th of November 2023. Recruitment of the participants started at 15th of November 2023 and trial started in December 2023 and ended in June 2024.

Indexed as

Benzhydryl CompoundsGlucosidesHypoglycemic AgentsMetforminPolycystic Ovary SyndromeSodium-Glucose Transporter 2 InhibitorsAdolescentAdultDouble-Blind MethodFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansInsulin ResistanceMiddle AgedProspective StudiesYoung AdultBenzhydryl CompoundsempagliflozinGlucosidesHypoglycemic AgentsMetforminSodium-Glucose Transporter 2 InhibitorsEmpagliflozinMetabolic parameters polycystic ovary syndromeSodium‒glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor

Identifiers

PMID41257673
PMCPMC12628823

What Socratic holds

Texttitle and abstract
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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.