Clinically significant and sustained weight loss is achievable in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome followed in a regular medical practice

Objective: To determine the proportion of obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) losing clinically significant amounts of weight during a standard follow-up by an endocrinologist. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic of an academic center. Patient(s): Obese patients with PCOS assessed between May 2002 and September 2008. Intervention(s): General nonstandardized advice on weight loss and exercise. Main Outcome Measure(s): Proportion of women losing >= 5% or >= 10% of their initial weight at each of the following time interval: 2-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months, 24-36 months, and beyond 36 months. Result(s): One hundred seventeen patients with PCOS and with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 38.7 kg/m(2) and mean age of 28.5 years were followed-up for a median duration of 21.9 months (range, 2.0-61.8 months), with a median of two visits per year. More than 40% of these women lost >= 5% of their initial weight after >6 months of follow-up, and >= 20% lost >= 10% after 1 year of follow-up. More important, these proportions were maintained up to >= 3 years. Conclusion(s): It is possible for obese women with PCOS to achieve clinically significant and sustained weight loss by following simple advices given in a regular clinical care setting. Therefore, practitioners should not underestimate their impact to facilitate weight loss in women with PCOS. (Fertil Steril (R) 2010;94:2665-9. (C) 2010 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)