Acupuncture for glucose and lipid metabolic disorders of polycystic ovarian syndrome: A systematic review protocol

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecological disease that is often accompanied by some metabolic abnormality such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. As a non-pharmacological therapy, acupuncture is widely used for the treatment of PCOS, but the effectiveness for insulin resistance and lipid metabolic disorder remains controversial. Objectives To assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for insulin resistance and lipid metabolic disorder of women with PCOS. Search methods Eight databases will be searched from inception to June 2021, three clinical trial registration platforms will be searched for relevant trials. Selection criteria Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture therapy for insulin resistance and lipid metabolic of PCOS will be included. Data collection and analysis Study screening, data collection, and analysis will be performed by two or more reviewers independently. We will calculate mean difference (MD), standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Data synthesis will be performed with RevMan V.5.3 software and with Stata V.15.0 software when necessary.