TY - JOUR
T1 - Efficacy of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in the treatment of uterine leiomyomata
T2 - Long-term follow-up
AU - Letterie, G. S.
AU - Coddington, C. C.
AU - Winkel, C. A.
AU - Shawker, T. H.
AU - Loriaux, D. L.
AU - Collins, R. L.
PY - 1989
Y1 - 1989
N2 - The authors employed a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a)(D-His6-pro9-NET-GnRH) to treat 19 patients with symptomatic uterine leiomyomata, by daily subcutaneous injections (4 μg/kg) for 6 months. After therapy, patients were followed for 6 months without any therapy. Uterine volumes were measured by serial pelvic examinations and pelvic sonography. Measurements of serum estradiol, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were used to assess treatment response. Pituitary desensitization and hypoestrogenemia were achieved in all within 8 weeks, and in 18 of 19, hypoestrogenemia was maintained for the duration. Uterine volume at the conclusion of therapy (207.5 ± 152.7 ml) was significantly reduced in all patients when compared with pretreatment sizes (420.8 ± 276.4, P < 0.05). Side effects included hot flashes (78%), vaginal dryness (32%), and transient frontal headaches (55%). All patients reported partial or complete relief from their symptomatic leiomyomata. Uterine volume at the conclusion of follow-up (345.4 ± 195.7 ml) was greateR than at the conclusion of therapy. Menses resumed in all patients within 4 to 8 weeks. In conclusion, GnRH-a therapy does not provide definitive therapy for symptomatic uterine leiomyomata but is effective in reducing the size of leiomyomata as a temporary measure. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy may be useful as an adjunct before myomectomy or hysterectomy and deserves further investigation.
AB - The authors employed a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a)(D-His6-pro9-NET-GnRH) to treat 19 patients with symptomatic uterine leiomyomata, by daily subcutaneous injections (4 μg/kg) for 6 months. After therapy, patients were followed for 6 months without any therapy. Uterine volumes were measured by serial pelvic examinations and pelvic sonography. Measurements of serum estradiol, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were used to assess treatment response. Pituitary desensitization and hypoestrogenemia were achieved in all within 8 weeks, and in 18 of 19, hypoestrogenemia was maintained for the duration. Uterine volume at the conclusion of therapy (207.5 ± 152.7 ml) was significantly reduced in all patients when compared with pretreatment sizes (420.8 ± 276.4, P < 0.05). Side effects included hot flashes (78%), vaginal dryness (32%), and transient frontal headaches (55%). All patients reported partial or complete relief from their symptomatic leiomyomata. Uterine volume at the conclusion of follow-up (345.4 ± 195.7 ml) was greateR than at the conclusion of therapy. Menses resumed in all patients within 4 to 8 weeks. In conclusion, GnRH-a therapy does not provide definitive therapy for symptomatic uterine leiomyomata but is effective in reducing the size of leiomyomata as a temporary measure. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist therapy may be useful as an adjunct before myomectomy or hysterectomy and deserves further investigation.
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U2 - 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)60724-0
DO - 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)60724-0
M3 - Article
C2 - 2498132
AN - SCOPUS:0024359826
SN - 0015-0282
VL - 51
SP - 951
EP - 956
JO - Fertility and sterility
JF - Fertility and sterility
IS - 6
ER -