MedPath

Low Starch Dietary Education Program vs. Traditional Treatment for PCOS

Early Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
PCOS
Diet Modification
Metabolism
Nutrition Disorders
Interventions
Other: One-On-One Dietary Instruction
Other: Video Dietary Instruction
Registration Number
NCT03916263
Lead Sponsor
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Brief Summary

Compare weight loss and metabolic parameters in patients using a low starch dietary education program vs. traditional treatment (i.e., prescribing metformin, low calorie diet and exercise) for health improvement in women with PCOS.

Detailed Description

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecologic condition diagnosed by the presence of irregular menstruation, high androgen levels and polycystic appearing ovaries by ultrasound. PCOS affects approximately 5 million women of reproductive age in the United States and is associated with increased risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and infertility. Women with PCOS are at 5- to 10-fold risk of developing type 2 diabetes and are diagnosed on average 30 years sooner than women without PCOS. Historically, high insulin levels worsen symptoms of PCOS and make weight loss very difficult despite the patient's best efforts. Research shows that carbohydrates from dairy and starch-based foods have greater insulin-producing properties than carbohydrates from non-starchy vegetables and fruits. The purpose of this study is to compare metabolic parameters in patients using a low starch dietary education program vs. traditional treatment (i.e., prescribing metformin, low calorie diet and exercise) for health improvement in women with PCOS.

In the investigator's previous work, study participants received approximately 1.5 hours of one-on-one dietary instruction by a Registered Dietitian. Dietary instruction included review of a list of foods that participants could eat with no restrictions as well as a list of foods to avoid, i.e. grains and dairy products. Study participants, all of whom were overweight or obese, achieved an average weight loss of 18.9 pounds in 8 weeks. In addition, study participants demonstrated improvements in triglycerides, total and free testosterone and in clinical hair growth scores. This study will investigate whether the same positive results might be achieved using a web-based written and video program for dietary guidance. If successful, the dietary video instructions may potentially benefit a large number of women by providing health care providers with a practical and affordable method to provide dietary instructions to their patients with PCOS, especially in areas where access to a Registered Dietitian is limited.

The goal of this prospective, randomized, controlled, clinical trial is to develop a practical, clinically useful web-based tool for health care providers to educate their patients on an optimal eating plan to manage PCOS.

AIM:

1.Compare weight loss and metabolic parameters in patients using a low starch dietary education program vs. traditional treatment (i.e., prescribing metformin, low calorie diet and exercise) for health improvement in women with PCOS.

METHODS:

Sixty overweight women with PCOS will be recruited to participate in an 8-week low starch diet with pre- and post-study measurements of weight, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, fasting glucose and insulin, complete lipid panel, free and total testosterone, and hemoglobin A1c. Patients will be randomized 1:1 to receive web-based instruction for a low starch diet or to receive face to face nutritional and diet information, or to receive a traditional care plan (metformin if indicated, low calorie diet, and exercise).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
71
Inclusion Criteria
  • Women ages 18-45
  • BMI of >25 but < 45
  • PCOS
  • Access to a computer/phone/electronic device with internet connection.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Pregnancy
  • Abnormal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
  • Hyperprolactinemia
  • adrenal hyperplasia
  • Cushing's disease Ovarian and adrenal tumors. Previous diagnosis of diabetes. History of eating disorder History of surgical weight loss procedure Persons with an inability to give informed consent Persons unable/unwilling to exercise or to prepare their own food

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
One-On-One Low Starch Dietary InstructionOne-On-One Dietary InstructionParticipant receives One-On-One Low Starch Dietary Instruction from Study Collaborator
Low Starch Dietary Instruction by VideoVideo Dietary InstructionParticipant receives Low Starch Dietary Instruction by Video Link
Traditional TreatmentMetforminParticipant receives recommendations for caloric intake, exercise and prescription for metformin if indicated
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Weight8 weeks

Weight

BMI8 weeks

BMI

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
fasting glucose8 weeks

fasting glucose

fasting insulin8 weeks

fasting insulin

cholesterol8 weeks

cholesterol

testosterone8 weeks

testosterone

hemoglobin A1c8 weeks

hemoglobin A1c

waist to hip ratio8 weeks

waist to hip ratio

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Texas Tech Health Science Center

🇺🇸

Lubbock, Texas, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath