Cost-Effectiveness of Interventions Related to the Treatment of Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Scoping Review

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects up to one-in-five reproductive-aged women and its global healthcare-related economic burden is substantial. The aim of this review was to summarise evidence of the cost-effectiveness of interventions related to the treatment of women with PCOS. Evidence Acquisition: Six academic databases were systematically searched for relevant records. Cost data were extracted, and an interpretation statement was provided for each study based upon the cost difference or incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, and its statistical significance. Evidence Synthesis: The search yielded 10 relevant studies. Only one study was conducted in a low-and middle-income country (LMIC), China. Nine studies focused on infertility treatment, and one study related to pregnancy care. There remains uncertainty regarding cost-effectiveness of the following infertility treatments: In vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles compared to ovulation induction (OI) cycles in women with clomiphene citrate (CC) resistant PCOS; and urinary follicle stimulating hormone compared to recombi-nant follicle stimulating hormone for OI. There are likely cost savings associated with laparoscopic ovarian drilling compared to OI with gonadotropins in women with CC-resistant PCOS, as well as with artificial cycle-frozen embryo transfer (AC-FET) without gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) pre-treatment compared to AC-FET with GnRH-a pre-treatment in women with PCOS. Treatment with metformin was lower cost and more effective compared to no treatment for achieving normal glucose regulation without developing gestational diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: The high proportion of fertility-related treatment studies reflects reproductive features often being the best-recognised feature of PCOS. However, limited evidence is available from LMICs. Further economic evidence is needed regarding PCOS treatments, particularly lifestyle interventions treating outcomes other than infertility.