Evidence mapPaperPMID 41757236Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in endocrinology2026

Effects of inositol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: an umbrella review of meta-analyses from randomized controlled trials.

Mengxue Duan, Min Yang, Chang Li, Xiao Wu, Xiaoxiao Yin, Hongqiu Zhu

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in endocrinology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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.

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.

2 · 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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Mengxue DuanChengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Min YangChengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Chang LiChengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Xiao WuChengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Xiaoxiao YinChengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Hongqiu ZhuChengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objectives: This umbrella review aimed to synthesize and appraise the evidence regarding the efficacy of inositol for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) by integrating meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials(RCTs), thereby assessing the robustness of the existing body of evidence. Methods: We searched four databases from inception to August 2025 for relevant RCT meta-analyses. Primary outcomes included hormonal profiles, glycolipid metabolism, anthropometrics, and reproductive outcomes. Quality was assessed using AMSTAR-2 and GRADE. Results: Thirteen meta-analyses were included. AMSTAR-2 ratings were 23.1% high, 53.8% low, and 23.1% very low quality. GRADE assessment of 85 evidence items revealed no high-quality evidence; 18.9% were moderate, 40% low, and 41.1% very low quality. Pooled analyses demonstrated that inositol significantly improved multiple outcomes compared to placebo/FA: it reduced serum luteinizing hormone (LH: MD -3.43 IU/L, 95% CI [-4.29, -2.56], Conclusion: Inositol improves core PCOS manifestations. Supported by moderate-quality evidence for effects on TT, FT, SHBG, HOMA-IR, and pregnancy/ovulation rates, it is a promising therapy. Differential efficacy of inositol subtypes may inform personalized treatment. However, outcomes based on low-quality evidence require cautious interpretation and should not solely guide clinical decisions, highlighting the need for larger, rigorous trials. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420251146691.

Indexed as

InositolPolycystic Ovary SyndromeFemaleHumansMeta-Analysis as TopicRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTestosteroneInositolTestosteroneD-chiro-inositolinositolinsulin resistancemyo-inositolpcosreproductionumbrella review

Identifiers

PMID41757236
PMCPMC12932251

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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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.