a double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study to assess the efficacy of ketoconazole for reducing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

abstract background: in order to evaluate the role ofketoconazole in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (ohss) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (pcos) undergoing ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins, a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study was done on one-hundred and nine pcos women that had been refeited to be treated by gonadotropins. methods: alll09 women were assigned for random allocation. group a (50 patients) received two ampoules ofhmg beginning on day 2 or 3 of the cycle and ketoconazole (50 mg/every 48 hours) starting on the first day ofhmg treatment. group b (51 patients) received the same protocol ofhmg combined with one tablet of placebo every 48 hours. main outcome measures were follicular development, e2levels, and pregnancy rate. results: the total number ofhmg ampoules and duration oftreatment to attain ovarian stimulation was higher in group a (p conclusion: ketoconazole has no effect in prevention of ohss in pcos patients undergoing ovarian stimulation. it may however reduce the rate of folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis.