Letrozole and norethisterone acetate versus letrozole and triptorelin in the treatment of endometriosis related pain symptoms: a randomized controlled trial

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology

Research

Valentino Remorgida¹  Pier L Venturini¹  Simone Ferrero²  David J Gillott³ 

[1] Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,, San Martino Hospital and University of Genoa, Italy;Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,, San Martino Hospital and University of Genoa, Italy;St. Bartholomew's School of Medicine & Dentistry,, Queen Mary University of London,, London, UK;St. Bartholomew's School of Medicine & Dentistry,, Queen Mary University of London,, London, UK;

关键词: Endometriosis;    Aromatase Inhibitor;    Letrozole;    Anastrozole;    Pain Symptom;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1477-7827-9-88

 received in 2010-09-12, accepted in 2011-06-21,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundWhen aromatase inhibitors are used to treat premenopausal women with endometriosis, additional drugs should be used to effectively down-regulate gonadal estrogen biosynthesis. This randomized prospective open-label study compared the efficacy in treating pain symptoms and the tolerability of letrozole combined with either norethisterone acetate or triptorelin.MethodsWomen with pain symptoms caused by rectovaginal endometriosis were treated with letrozole (2.5 mg/day) and were randomized to also receive either oral norethisterone acetate (2.5 mg/day; group N) or intramuscular injection of triptorelin (11.25 mg every 3 months; group T). The scheduled length of treatment was 6 months. A visual analogue scale and a multidimensional categorical rating scale were used to assess the severity of pain symptoms. The volume of the endometriotic nodules was estimated by ultrasonography using virtual organ computer-aided analysis. Adverse effects of treatment were recorded.ResultsA total of 35 women were randomized between the two treatment protocols. Significantly more patients in group N rated their treatment as satisfactory or very satisfactory (64.7%) as compared to group T (22.2%; p = 0.028). The intensity of both non-menstrual pelvic pain and deep dyspareunia significantly decreased during treatment in both study groups, though no statistically meaningful difference between the two groups was apparent. Reduction in the volume of endometriotic nodules was significantly greater in group T than in group N. Interruption of treatment due to adverse effects significantly differed between the groups, with 8 women in group T (44.4%) and 1 woman in group N (5.9%) interrupting treatment (p = 0.018). Similarly, 14 women included in group T (77.8%) and 6 women included in group N (35.3%) experienced adverse effects of treatment (p = 0.018). During treatment, mineral bone density significantly decreased in group T but not in group N.ConclusionsAromatase inhibitors reduce the intensity of endometriosis-related pain symptoms. Combining letrozole with oral norethisterone acetate was associated with a lower incidence of adverse effects and a lower discontinuation rate than combining letrozole with triptorelin.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Ferrero et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011