Comparison of letrazole and clomiphene citrate in women with polycystic ovaries undergoing ovarian stimulation

Objective: to compare the efficacy of letrazole in the induction of ovulationwith clomiphene citrate in patientswith polycystic ovary syndrome and primary infertility. methods: the prospective clinical trial was conducted at basrahmaternity and child hospital,basrah,iraq,between january 2012 and april 2013,and comprised women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and primary infertility who were randomised into 2 groups. group a received100-200mg clomiphene citrate daily while group 2 received letrazole (2.5-5mg) daily. both groups were followed by ultrasound until the dominant follicle reached a diameter >18mm,human chorionic gonadotropin10.000 u/l was given and timed intercourse was advised. results: of the 75 subjects in the study,40(53.3%) were in group a and 35(46.6%) in group b. themean age in group a was 25.3+2.1 years versus 26.1+1.3 years in group b (p=0.05). the number of mature follicles was significantly lower,but the endometrial thickness and ovulation were significantly higher in group b than in group a (p<0.05 each). there was no significant difference in pregnancy rate between the two groups (p>0.05). conclusion: letrazole may have a role as the first-line treatment for unovulatory patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. © 2015,pakistan medical association. all rights reserved.