|
Study ID | Study period | Country | Treatment arms | Study duration | Diagnosis criteria | Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria |
|
Among women with polycystic ovary syndrome |
Salehpour et al. 2009 [17] |
Feb 2007–February 2008 |
Iran |
NAC: 1800 mg/day, divided into three daily doses; placebo: ORS, divided into three daily doses |
6 months |
Rotterdam criteria, ESHRE/ASRM 2003 |
Presence of PCOS; spontaneous onset of maturation; and normal sexual development | Diabetes mellitus; use of medications affecting glucose metabolism Use hormonal analogues other than progesterone Severe hepatic or kidney diseases; active peptic ulcer |
Gayatri et al. 2010 [28] |
June 2006–December 2007 |
India | NAC: 1800 mg/day, orally divided in three doses; metformin: 500 mg/day for week 1; 500 mg twice daily for week 2 and 500 mg thrice daily afterwards |
3 months |
Rotterdam criteria, ESHRE/ASRM 2003 |
Presence of PCOS | Diabetes mellitus; use of medications affecting glucose metabolism Use hormonal analogues other than progesterone Severe hepatic or kidney diseases; active peptic ulcer |
Oner and Muderris 2011 [18] |
March 2008–April 2009 |
Turkey | NAC: 1800 mg/day, orally divided in three doses; metformin: 1500 mg/day, orally divided in three doses |
6 months |
Rotterdam criteria, ESHRE/ASRM 2004 |
Presence of PCOS | Diabetes mellitus; thyroid disease Use of any drugs that could interfere with the normal function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis |
Salehpour et al. 2012 [19] |
Jan 2008–Dec 2009 |
Iran |
NAC: 1200 mg/day, divided into two daily doses; Placebo: ORS, divided into two daily doses |
3 months |
Rotterdam criteria, ESHRE/ASRM 2004 |
Presence of PCOS; Age 20–35 years; Infertility duration less than 10 years; BMI <35 kg/m2; Normal semen analysis | Thyroid dysfunction; History of large ovarian cyst formation (>6 cm); History of visual disturbance caused by CC; History of asthma and or allergy to medications; Use of medications affecting glucose metabolism; Use hormonal analogues other than progesterone; |
|
Among women with clomiphene resistant polycystic ovary syndrome |
Rizk et al. 2005 [20] |
March 2002–Nov 2003 |
Egypt |
NAC: | |
Other |
Presence of CC resistant PCOS; Age 18–39 years | Thyroid disfunction; Allergy to medications; Use of medications affecting glucose metabolism; Use hormonal analogues other than progesterone; |
Elnashar et al. 2007 [14] |
Dec 2004–Dec 2005 |
Egypt |
NAC: 1800 mg/day, orally divided in three doses; Metformin: 1500 mg/day, orally divided in three doses |
2 months |
Rotterdam criteria, ESHRE/ASRM 2003 | Presence of CC resistant PCOS; Age 18–39 years; Period of infertility >2 years |
History of pelvic surgery or infertility factor other than anovulation; Patients with hyperglycemia (fasting blood sugar of <100 mg/dL) |
Hashim et al. 2010 [21] |
Jan 2005–June 2009 |
Egypt |
NAC: 1800 mg/day, orally divided in three doses; Metformin: 1500 mg/day, orally divided in three doses |
3 Months |
Rotterdam criteria, ESHRE/ASRM 2003 |
Presence of CC resistant PCOS | Diabetes mellitus; Use of medications affecting glucose metabolism; Use hormonal analogues other than progesterone; Smoking & alcohol use; Age more than 40 years |
Nasr 2010 [22] |
April 2007–June 2009 |
Egypt |
NAC: 1200 mg/day, divided into two daily doses; Placebo: ORS, divided into two daily doses |
12 months |
Rotterdam criteria, ESHRE/ASRM 2003 | Presence of CC resistant PCOS; Age 18–38 years; >2 years with infertility; Patent fallopian tubes & Normal semen analysis |
Use hormonal analogues other than progesterone; contraindications to laparoscopy or general anaesthesia |
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