title: Estroprogestin vs. gonadotrophin agonists plus estroprogestin in the treatment of endometriosis-related pelvic pain: a randomized trial. Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio dell'Endometriosi.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This is a randomized clinical trial comparing estroprogestin (E/P) pill given for 12 months vs. gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist (GNRHa) given for 4 months followed by E/P pill treatment for 8 months in the relief of endometriosis-related pelvic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligible for the study were women with laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis and pelvic pain lasting 3-12 months after diagnosis. Eligible women were randomly assigned to treatment with E/P pill (gestroden 0.75 mg and ethynlestradiol 0.03 mg) for 12 months (47 patients) vs. tryptorelin 3.75 mg slow release every 28 days for 4 months followed by E/P pill for 8 months (55 patients).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, dysmenorrhea was reported in 46 women allocated to E/P pill only (97.9%), and in all the 55 women allocated to GNRHa+E/P pill. The corresponding value at the 12 months follow-up visit was 14 subjects (35.9%) and 16 subjects (34.8%). The baseline median values of the multidimensional and analog scale were for dysmenorrhea 4 and 6 in the EP only and 3 and 6 in the GNRHa+E/P group. The corresponding value at the 12 months follow-up visit were 2 and 6 and 0 and 5. Non-menstrual pain was reported, respectively, at baseline and 12 month visit by 46 (97.9%) and 15 (38.5%) subjects in the E/P pill group and 49 (89.1%) and 17 (37.0%) of the GNRHa+E/P pill one. The baseline median values of the multidimensional and analog scale were for non-menstrual pain 3 and 5 in the E/P only and 2 and 6 in the GNRHa+E/P group. The corresponding values at the 12 month follow-up visit were 0 and 4 and 0 and 4. These differences between the two groups were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1 year after randomization, the two treatment schedules show similar relief of pelvic pain in women with endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Prima Clinica Ostetrico Ginecologica, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy. garimoldi@irfmn.mnegri.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Parazzini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Cintio
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chatenoud
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moroni
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ardovino
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Struzziero
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Falsetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bracco
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bertulessi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romanini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zupi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massobrio
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guidetti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Troiano
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beretta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000819:agonists*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006801:Humans; D008186:Luteolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000819:agonists*; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D008186:Luteolytic Agents; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol