Comparison of the effect of letrozole versus cabergoline for prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in patients under ovulation induction treatments and IVF cycles

The effectiveness of letrozole and cabergoline for treatment of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) has been evaluated and proved separately in previous studies, but there is no study to compare the effectiveness of these two drugs, therefore, this study was performed with aim to compare the effect of letrozole versus cabergoline for prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in patients under ovulation induction treatments and IVF cycles.
This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was performed on 60 patients with complain of infertility who referred to Milad infertility center in Mashhad from April 2014 to July 2015 and were treated with ovulation induction drugs and developed the first sign and symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). By randomized block method, the patients were divided into cabergoline and letrozole groups. Then, the researcher administered 5 mg letrozole to the patients of letrozole group after pick up for two weeks. Similarly, the researcher administered 0.5 mg cabergoline to the patients of cabergoline group from the day of pick up for 8 days. Then, the patients were weekly evaluated for 4 weeks in terms of any development in signs and symptoms of OHSS. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 11.5) and Chi-square, independent-t, and reapeted measures tests. P
There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of type of infertility (primary or secondary) (P=0.562), history of polycystic ovarian syndrome (P=0.584) and history of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (P=1.000). Among 60 patients, 25 (42%) had no need to hospitalization and were treated as outpatient, but 35 (58%) were hospitalized for 1 to 8 days during the study. There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of duration of hospitalization (P=1.000), Additionally in terms of clinical improvement during weekly follow-up (P=1.000).
Letrozole has similar effect as cabergoline for prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).