Retreatment with nafarelin for recurrent endometriosis symptoms: efficacy, safety, and bone mineral density.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy, safety, and effect on bone mineral density of a 3-month course of retreatment with intranasal nafarelin acetate for recurrent symptoms of endometriosis.


METHODS
Multicenter, open-label, nonrandomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Eleven hospital-based and private practices.


METHODS
Thirty-six women with endometriosis symptoms recurring after 3 or 6 months of treatment with nafarelin.


METHODS
Nasal nafarelin 200 micrograms twice daily for 3 months.


METHODS
Assessments for dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, pelvic pain, tenderness, and induration. Measurement of bone mineral density of the lumbar spine.


RESULTS
Improvements from admission to the end of retreatment were significant for dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, tenderness, induration, and dyspareunia. Three months after retreatment ended, mean symptom scores for dysmenorrhea and pelvic tenderness, although worse than at the end of retreatment, were still significantly better than scores at admission. Mean bone mineral density 3 months after retreatment was 0.56% lower than before retreatment and 1.94% lower than before initial treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-month nafarelin retreatment for recurrent endometriosis symptoms was effective and safe.
Hornstein
M D
MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Yuzpe
A A
AA
Burry
K
K
Buttram
V C
VC
Heinrichs
L R
LR
Soderstrom
R M
RM
Steinberger
E
E
Lin
J S
JS
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017274:Nafarelin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain; D012008:Recurrence
D006728:Hormones; D017274:Nafarelin