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Metformin for prevention of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in women with gestational diabetes or obesity: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

Kalafat E, Sukur YE, Abdi A, Thilaganathan B, Khalil A

Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2018

1,724 participants · 72 citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Metformin has been reported to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia. It is also known to influence soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 level, which correlates significantly with the gestational age at onset and severity of pre-eclampsia. The main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials was to determine whether metformin use is associated with the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP).

METHODS: MEDLINE (1947 to September 2017), Scopus (1970 to September 2017) and the Cochrane Library (inception to September 2017) were searched for relevant citations in the English language. Only randomized controlled trials on metformin use, reporting the incidence of pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension, were included. Studies on populations with a high probability of metformin use prior to randomization (those with type II diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome) were excluded. Random-effects models with the Mantel-Haenszel method were used for subgroup analyses. Bayesian random-effects meta-regression was used to summarize the evidence.

RESULTS: In total, 3337 citations matched the search criteria. After evaluating 2536 abstracts and performing full-text review of 52 studies, 15 were included in the review. In women with gestational diabetes, metformin use was associated with a reduced risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension when compared with insulin (relative risk (RR), 0.56; 95% CI, 0.37-0.85; I2 = 0%; 1260 women) and a…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,724 participants or records.

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