Preconception lifestyle interventions for women-a systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention characteristics and behaviour change techniques.

Background: The time before conception is an important opportunity to improve maternal lifestyle, and hence improve fertility and health. However, the components of effective preconception lifestyle interventions are unclear.

Objective And Rationale: This review aimed to assess the association of intervention characteristics and behaviour change techniques with the effect of lifestyle interventions on fertility, obstetric, foetal, anthropometric, and metabolic outcomes in women planning a pregnancy.

Metabolic associations of human placental lactogen in pregnancies at high metabolic risk: An observational cohort study.

Introduction: Human placental lactogen (hPL) is a placental hormone which, according to preclinical research, appears to have key metabolic roles in pregnancy. We aimed to examine pregnancy hPL levels in relation to maternal metabolic parameters and fetal outcomes within an ethnically diverse cohort at high metabolic risk. Design was an observational cohort study, nested within a randomized controlled trial.

Exploring Causal Associations Between Serum Inflammatory Markers and Female Reproductive Disorders: A Mendelian Randomisation Study.

Although inflammation may disrupt immunoendocrine crosstalk essential for female reproductive function, causal links to disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis remain unestablished. This study aimed to utilise Mendelian randomisation (MR) methods to explore causal associations between serum inflammatory markers and common reproductive disorders, aiming to identify novel mechanisms and potential avenues for treatment. Total causal effects of serum inflammatory markers (interleukins, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, etc.

Correction of meta-analysis after retraction of article on the effects of anti-androgens in polycystic ovary syndrome.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.

Blood-based inflammatory markers in female infertility: evidence from Mendelian randomization analysis.

Objective: To investigate causal associations between blood-based inflammatory markers and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR).

Design: Mendelian randomization using genome-wide association study data.

Subjects: Large female-only cohorts of European ancestry.

Metformin in gestational diabetes: physiological actions and clinical applications.

Metformin is an effective oral hypoglycaemic agent used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, its use in pregnancy for the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains controversial owing to concerns around safety and efficacy. This comprehensive review outlines the physiological metabolic functions of metformin and synthesizes existing literature and key knowledge gaps pertaining to the use of metformin in pregnancy across various end points in women with GDM. On the basis of current evidence, metformin reduces gestational weight gain, neonatal hypoglycaemia and macrosomia and increases insulin sensitivity.

The effectiveness and safety of lifestyle medicine and integrative therapies in inflammatory arthritis: an umbrella review using a hierarchical evidence gathering approach.

Objective: An umbrella review was conducted to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the evidence on lifestyle medicine and integrative therapies for inflammatory arthritis.

Methods: Five electronic databases were searched for umbrella reviews, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials on acupuncture, diet, exercise, herbal medicine, nutrient supplements, and mind-body therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, and gout published from January 2012 to December 2022. The primary outcomes were functional status and quality of life.

Assessing the influence of preconception diet on male fertility: a systematic scoping review.

Background: The last decade has seen increased research on the relationship between diet and male fertility, but there are no clearly defined nutritional recommendations for men in the preconception period to support clinical fertility outcomes.

Objective And Rationale: The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the extent and range of research undertaken to evaluate the effect(s) of diet in the preconception period on male clinical fertility and reproductive outcomes.

Search Methods: Four electronic databases (MEDLINE and EMBASE via Ovid, CAB Direct, and CINAHL via EBSCO) were searched from inception to July 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (prospective/retrospective, case-control, and cross-sectional).

Effects of different insulin sensitisers in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Characteristic features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) include insulin resistance and an increased risk for type 2 diabetes. To promote improved insulin sensitivity, insulin sensitisers have been used in PCOS. However, direct comparisons across these agents are limited.

Efficacy and safety of anti-androgens in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Background: Anti-androgens and combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) may mitigate hyperandrogenism-related symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, their efficacy and safety in PCOS remain unclear as previous reviews have focused on non-PCOS populations. To inform the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline in PCOS, we conducted the first systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the efficacy and safety of anti-androgens in the management of hormonal and clinical features of PCOS.

Metformin and Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills in the Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects more than 1 in 10 women.

Objective: As part of the 2023 International PCOS Guidelines update, comparisons between combined oral contraceptive pills (COCP), metformin, and combination treatment were evaluated.

Data Sources: Ovid Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, All EBM, and CINAHL were searched.

Assessing the influence of preconception diet on female fertility: a systematic scoping review of observational studies.

Background: Preconception diet is a proposed modifiable risk factor for infertility. However, there is no official guidance for women in the preconception period as to which dietary approaches may improve fertility.

Objective And Rationale: A comprehensive synthesis of the relevant evidence is key to determine the potentially effective dietary patterns and components as well as evidence gaps, and to provide information for nutritional recommendations for couples planning a pregnancy.

Different kinds of oral contraceptive pills in polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare between different combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs) as part of the update of the International Evidence-Based Guidelines on the Assessment and Management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed, Prospero CRD42022345640.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, All EBM, CINAHL, and PsycINFO was searched on July, 8, 2022, for studies including women with PCOS, comparing 2 different COCPs in randomized controlled trials.

Can Dietary Patterns Impact Fertility Outcomes? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

There are conflicting results on the effect of diet on fertility. This study aimed to assess the effect of different dietary patterns on fertility outcomes in populations who conceive spontaneously and those requiring assisted reproductive technology (ART). A systematic search and meta-analysis were performed for studies investigating dietary patterns or whole diets in reproductive aged women requiring ART or conceived naturally.

Combined oral contraceptive pill compared with no medical treatment in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review.

Objective: As part of the update of the International Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Assessment and Management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a systematic review was performed to inform evidence-based recommendations.

Design: Systematic review. Only randomised controlled trial were included.

Lifestyle management in polycystic ovary syndrome - beyond diet and physical activity.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition affecting reproductive-aged women with reproductive, metabolic and psychological consequences. Weight and lifestyle (diet, physical activity and behavioural) management are first-line therapy in international evidence-based guidelines for PCOS. While these recommend following population-level diet and physical activity guidelines, there is ongoing interest and research in the potential benefit of including psychological and sleep interventions, as well as a range of traditional, complimentary and integrative medicine (TCIM) approaches, for optimal management of PCOS.

Anti-Inflammatory Diets in Fertility: An Evidence Review.

Infertility is a global health concern affecting 48 million couples and 186 million individuals worldwide. Infertility creates a significant economic and social burden for couples who wish to conceive and has been associated with suboptimal lifestyle factors, including poor diet and physical inactivity. Modifying preconception nutrition to better adhere with Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) is a non-invasive and potentially effective means for improving fertility outcomes.

Efficacy and Safety of Nutrient Supplements for Glycaemic Control and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes: An Umbrella Review and Hierarchical Evidence Synthesis.

Background: Nutrient supplements are widely used for type 2 diabetes (T2D), yet evidence-based guidance for clinicians is lacking. Methods: We searched the four electronic databases from November 2015−December 2021. The most recent, most comprehensive, high-ranked systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and/or umbrella reviews of randomised controlled trials in adults with T2D were included.

Nutritional Supplements and Complementary Therapies in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 1 in 5 women of reproductive age, and is characterized by menstrual irregularities, clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and the presence of polycystic ovary morphology. One of the recommended treatment strategies in the international evidence-based guidelines is lifestyle modification, which includes diet and exercise, with the aim of improving a range of health outcomes. The incurable nature of PCOS reinforces the importance of developing novel and innovative symptomatic relief strategies, which are currently the only available approaches for improving quality of life for these women.

Vitamin D and COVID-19: An Overview of Recent Evidence.

The novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome () has progressed rapidly from an outbreak to a global pandemic, with new variants rapidly emerging. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the disease resulting from infection, can lead to multiorgan damage. Due to the extremely contagious and fatal nature of the virus, it has been a priority of medical research to find effective means of treatment.

Metabolomic Biomarkers in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Review of the Evidence.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the fastest growing type of diabetes, affecting between 2 to 38% of pregnancies worldwide, varying considerably depending on diagnostic criteria used and sample population studied. Adverse obstetric outcomes include an increased risk of macrosomia, and higher rates of stillbirth, instrumental delivery, and birth trauma. Metabolomics, which is a platform used to analyse and characterise a large number of metabolites, is increasingly used to explore the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic conditions such as GDM.

Metabolomic Biomarkers in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Review of the Evidence.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrinologic condition affecting one in five women of reproductive age. PCOS is often characterized by disruptions to the menstrual cycle, development of male-pattern hair growth (hirsutism), and polycystic ovary morphology. Recently, PCOS has been linked to metabolic dysfunction, with 40 to 80% of women characterized as overweight or obese.