Metformin's role in the treatment of breast fibrocystic illness

Abstract

Background and Objectives: - Fibrocystic Disease of the Breast is one of the commonest benign breast diseases associated with hormonal disturbance. Thus, this study aims to assess the role of Metformin in treating the presenting complains of Fibrocystic Disease of the Breast compared to Placebo.

Methodology: A prospective double-blind Randomized clinical trial among cases with Fibrocystic disease of the Breast. The cases were collected from the Breast assessment clinic in Azadi Teaching Hospital and a privet clinic in Duhok City, Kurdistan region, Iraq. The study took a total duration of 12 months. A total of 100 cases were fit and were enrolled in the study, 50 cases on placebo with watchful waiting and 50 cases on metformin 500 mg twice daily; 2 cases were excluded due to adverse effects from the treatment.

Results: Nearly 2/3 of the cases showed response were on metformin compared to 1/3 on Placebo; indicating clinically the superiority of Metformin in reducing the cyst size, P = 0.002. Metformin was associated with 8.4% reduction in Nipple discharge and 54.0% reduction in Mastalgia vs 18% and 54%, respectively for Placebo, both showing significant impact, P < 0.001, with a higher Odd for Placebo in both symptoms, 1.7 vs 3.5 and 11.7 vs 23.5.

Conclusion: Compared to Placebo, Metformin is associated with a significant reduction in the size of the cysts. While there is no significant difference in pain management and decreasing nipple discharge in both groups, with higher odds for Placebo over Metformin in the latter symptoms. Additionally, both Metformin and Placebo were associated with nearly 54% reduction in Mastalgia.