title: Efficacy of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in the treatment of uterine leiomyomata: long-term follow-up.
abstract: 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 micrograms/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 less than 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.
authors.affiliation: Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Letterie
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Coddington
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Winkel
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Shawker
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Loriaux
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014599:Uterus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: C060003:LHRH, His(6)-N-Et-ProNH2(9)-; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone