Comparison of the Effectiveness of Various Medicines in the Prevention of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have described the effects of different drugs in preventing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). However, the efficacies of those drugs in preventing OHSS remain inconclusive. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases. A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed up to August 2021. We investigated the following drugs in our study: aspirin, albumin, metformin, calcium, cabergoline, quinagolide, letrozole, hydroxyethyl starch (HES), and glucocorticoids. The primary outcome was the incidence rate of moderate-to-severe OHSS, with the results presented as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The incidence of moderate-to-severe OHSS was significantly reduced by calcium administration (risk ratios [RR] 0.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04, 0.46) (grade: high), HES (RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.07, 0.73) (grade: high), and cabergoline (RR 0.43, 95% CI 0.24, 0.71) (grade: moderate). The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) indicated that calcium (SUCRA, 92.4%) was the most effective intervention for preventing moderate-to-severe OHSS. These drugs were safe and did not affect clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, or live birth rates. CONCLUSION: Calcium, HES, and cabergoline could effectively and safely prevent moderate-to-severe OHSS, with calcium as the most effective intervention.