A comparison between a combination of letrozole and clomiphene citrate versus gonadotropins for ovulation induction in infertile patients with clomiphene citrateresistant polycystic ovary syndrome — a retrospective study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare a combination treatment with CC plus letrozole versus gonadotropins in CC-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with regard to ovulation and clinical pregnancy rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred sixteen CC-resistant infertile PCOS patients were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 73) received CC plus letrozole, and Group 2 (n = 43) received gonadotropins. RESULTS: The ovulation rate in Group 1 was 65/73 (89%), the pregnancy rate was 13/73 (18%), the twin foetuses rate was 1/73 (1.3%) and the miscarriage rate was 2/73 (2.7%). In Group 2, the ovulation rate was 41/43 (95%), and the pregnancy rate was 8/43 (19%) the rate of the twin foetuses was 1/43 (2.3%) and the miscarriage rate was 1/43 (2.3%). There was no statistically significant difference in the ovulation (p = 0.25), pregnancy (p = 0.91), twin foetuses (p = 0.89) and miscarriage p = 0.89) rates between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This new drug combination suggests that it may be a lower cost, lower risk alternative treatment that increases the rate of ovulation. Larger randomized clinical trials are needed to provide information on live birth rates of this combination.