Interval of injections of intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate in the long-term treatment of endometriosis-associated pain: a randomized comparative trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the optimal interval of injections of intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate 150 mg in the long-term treatment of endometriosis-associated pain.


METHODS
112 patients with symptomatic endometriosis were randomized to receive either injections every month for 6 months, then every 3 months for a total of 15 months or injections every 3 months for 15 months. The primary outcome measure was patients' satisfaction.


RESULTS
At months 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 of the treatment phase, there was no statistically significant difference of percentages of patients with satisfaction between the two regimens (85.7 vs. 76.8%, 76.8 vs. 73.2%, 66.1 vs. 58.9%, 60.7 vs. 55.4%, 60.7 vs. 55.4%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The optimal interval of injections of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate 150 mg is every 3 months.
Cheewadhanaraks
Sopon
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkla 90110 Thailand. csophon@medicine.psu.ac.th
Peeyananjarassri
Krantarat
K
Choksuchat
Chainarong
C
Dhanaworavibul
Kriengsak
K
Choobun
Thanapan
T
Bunyapipat
Sathana
S
D000328:Adult; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018579:Patient Selection; D017697:Premenopause; D013997:Time Factors
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate