P-158: Metformin versus Chromium Picolinate in Clomiphene Citrate-Resistant Patients with Polycystic Ovary

Background: To compare the chromium picolinate with metformin in Clomiphene citrate resistant PCOS patients. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial being performed at university affiliated clinics including 92 women with Clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS who were randomly assigned to receive chromium picolinate (200 μg daily) or metformin (1500 mg daily) for 3 months. Anthropometric and hormonal profile were measured and compared before and after treatment. We also measured ovulation and pregnancy rate between two study groups. Results: Chromium picolinate decreased FBS significantly after 3 months of treatment (p=0.042). In the same way, the serum levels of fasting insulin decreased significantly leading to increased insulin sensitivity as measured by QUICKI index (p=0.014). Patients who received metformin had significantly lower levels of testosterone (p<0.001) and free testosterone (p<0.001) after 3 months of treatment compared to those who received chromium picolinate. Overall patients who received metformin experienced more side effects compared to chromium picolinate (23.9% vs. 56.2%; p<0.001). There wasn’t any significant difference between two study groups regarding the ovulation (p=0.417) and pregnancy rates (p=0.500). Conclusion: Chromium picolinate decreases the FBS and insulin levels and thus increasing insulin sensitivity in Clomiphene citrate-resistance PCOS women. These effects were comparable with metformin however metformin treatment was associated with decreased hyperandrogenism. Chromium picolinate is better tolerated than metformin. However ovulation and pregnancy rate didn’t differ significantly between groups.