Evaluation of the contraceptive efficacy, compliance, and satisfaction with the transdermal contraceptive patch system Evra: a comparison between adolescent and adult users.
OBJECTIVE
Aim of the study was to evaluate Evra use in adolescents and compare the outcome with adult users.


METHODS
A total of 80 adolescents and 178 adults were followed-up at 1-, 3-, and 6-month interval with their compliance, satisfaction, cycle control, and adverse events being assessed.


RESULTS
Compliance rate was generally higher among adult users (p < 0.05). Partial and complete patch detachment were both significantly higher among adolescents (p < 0.05). Self-reported side effects did not differ between both groups and declined over the time. Overall satisfaction was high among most subjects. Compared with previous contraception, most subjects reported better satisfaction with Evra (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This investigation observed an overall positive impression of Evra with good compliance among adolescent and adult users. This might be an effect of the convenience of the weekly dosing schedule. Compliance is of utmost importance in teenagers as this age group is at highest risk of unintended pregnancy.
Bodner
Klaus
K
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hospital Rudolfstiftung, Vienna, Austria. klausbodner@yahoo.com
Bodner-Adler
Barbara
B
Grünberger
Werner
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned / Q000187:drug effects; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000187:drug effects; D057968:Transdermal Patch; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004338:Drug Combinations; C511292:Ortho Evra; D009644:Norgestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol