INTRODUCTION

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a widespread disease among women of childbearing age. This pathology embraces a complex spectrum of clinical manifestations. An altered secretion of gonadotropins and high levels of androgens determine menstrual irregularities and ovulatory dysfunction, infertility, hirsutism, alopecia and acne. Moreover, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance (IR) are common, leading to an increased metabolic risk. Whilst various pharmacological strategies have been studied to manage PCOS, the role of lifestyle should be emphasized. Numerous studies highlight the fundamental role that diet plays in the regulation of these hormonal imbalances. The hypothesis that a low-carbohydrate diet, such as the ketogenic diet (KD), may be beneficial in patients with PCOS has been evaluated in some clinical studies. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis has been to evaluate through anthropometric, metabolic, and hormonal parameters the impact of KD in overweight or obese patients with PCOS.

METHODS

A research question according to the PICOS framework was formulated, and a literature search following the PRISMA criteria for systematic review was performed. Studies that reported the following outcomes were included: weight loss, body mass index (BMI), circulating levels of glucose, insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment - Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH/FSH, estrogens, progesterone, anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), total-testosterone (total-T), free testosterone (free-T), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), pregnancies and live births. The extracted data were analyzed, and pooled results were expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Seven studies were included in the systematic review. The results of the meta-analysis showed that after KD the patients had a significant weight loss (standard mean difference or SMD 1.31 kg [95% CI: 0.45, 2.17] p = 0.003) and lower BMI (SMD 1.27 kg/m2 [95% CI: 0.71, 1.83], p < 0.001). Blood glucose (SMD 1.36 mg/dL [95% CI: 1.08, 1.64], p < 0.001), insulin (SMD 1.15 µU/mL [95% CI: 0.60, 1.70], p < 0.001) and HOMA-IR (SMD 1.84 [95% CI: 0.72, 2.96], p = 0.001) were all decreased, and lipid profile was improved with higher HDL (SMD 0.38 mg/dL [95% CI: 1.45, 0.68], p = 0.48, not significant), lower LDL (SMD 0.73 mg/dL [95% CI: 0.03, 1.42], p = 0.04) and lower triglycerides (SMD 1.11 mg/dL [95% CI: 0.53, 1.68], p < 0.001). Moreover, LH concentrations were significantly reduced (SMD 1.12 ng/dL [95% CI: 0.39, 1.84] p = 0.003), FSH levels raised (SMD -0.76 ng/dL [95% CI: -1.25, -0.28], p = 0.002), the LH/FSH ratio decreased (SMD 2.04 [95% CI: 1.04-3.03], p < 0.001); testosterone decreased (free-T SMD 0.57 ng/dL [95% CI: 0.28, 0.86], p < 0.001; total-T SMD 0.54 ng/dL [95% CI: 0.28, 0.80] p < 0.001), and SHBG levels were significantly increased (SMD 0.79 [95% CI: 1.24-0.34], p < 0.001). Data about estrogens, progesterone, DHEAS, and pregnancies were too scarce to allow a comparison in the meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION

The KD seems to offer a substantial benefit in improving all the anthropometric, metabolic, and hormonal parameters evaluated. Broader studies involving women with PCOS may provide further insight into the effects of a low glycemic index diet in this group of patients.