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Evidence summaries

Dopamine Agonists for Preventing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

Dopamine agonists appear to be effecitve in preventing moderate or severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in assisted reproduction treatment. Level of evidence: "B"

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study limitations (poor reporting of methods).

Summary

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 22 studies (n=3171) assessing dopamine agonists in preventing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in assisted reproduction treatment. When compared with placebo or no intervention, dopamine agonists (cabergoline, quinagolide and bromocriptine) seemed effective in the prevention of moderate or severe OHSS (table T1). There was no difference in live birth rate, clinical pregnancy rate, multiple pregnancy rate or miscarriage rate (table T1).

Dopamine agonist versus placebo/no intervention in assisted reproduction treatment

OutcomeRelative effect(95% CI)Risk with placebo/no interventionRisk with intervention / Dopamine agonist (95% CI)No of women(trials) Quality of evidence
Incidence of moderate or severe OHSSOR 0.32(0.23 to 0.44)268 per 1000105 per 1000(78 to 139)1202(10) Moderate
Live birth rateOR 0.96(0.60 to 1.55)324 per 1000315 per 1000(223 to 426)362 (3) Low
Clinical pregnancy rateOR 0.92(0.63 to 1.37)307 per 1000289 per 1000(218 to 377)530 (5) Low

Clinical comments

Note

Date of latest search: 15 August 2016

References

  • Tang H, Mourad SM, Wang A et al. Dopamine agonists for preventing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021;(4):CD008605. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords