The effect of dopamine agonists on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Despite investigating the various effects of dopamine agonists (DA) on cardiometabolic-related factors, there are conflicting findings in this field. This study aimed to investigate the effect of DA on changes in various factors related to cardiometabolic diseases.

Comprehensive search was performed across five databases using predefined keywords to identify randomized controlled trials investigating the impact of DA on cardiometabolic factors. The combined weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were analyzed using a random-effects model.

Findings from 22 studies demonstrated significant reductions in fasting blood sugar (FBS) (WMD: -16.95 mg/dl; 95% CI: -23.59, -10.31), insulin (WMD: -2.02 µU/ml; 95% CI: -3.63 to -0.40), HOMA-IR (WMD: -0.82; 95% CI: -1.51 to -0.13), and HbA1c (WMD: -0.73; 95% CI: -0.96 to -0.49) as well as Systolic (SBP) (WMD: -3.75 mg/Hg; 95% CI: -6.25, -1.25) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD: -3.45 mg/Hg; 95% CI: -5.55, -1.36) levels following intervention with DA compared to the control group. Subgroup analyses provided additional insights, revealing that bromocriptine had a more pronounced effect on glucose metabolism markers than other DA.

It appears that DA, along with other lifestyle factors, can lead to significant improvements in some factors associated with cardiometabolic.