Use of nafarelin versus placebo after reductive laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) nafarelin compared with placebo administered for 6 months after reductive laparoscopic surgery for symptomatic endometriosis.

Design: Randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial.

Setting: Thirteen clinics including private practice and university centers.

Patient(s): One hundred nine women aged 18-47 with laparoscopically proven endometriosis and pelvic pain who had undergone reductive laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis.

Intervention(s): Patients were randomized to receive either the GnRH-a nafarelin (200 micrograms twice daily) or placebo for 6 months.

Main outcome measure(s): Time to initiation of alternative treatment (the length of time from beginning study medication to receiving alternative therapy or to deeming that the study drug was ineffective) and patient-reported and physician-assessed pelvic pain scores.

Result(s): The median time to initiation of alternative treatment was > 24 months in the nafarelin group versus 11.7 months in the placebo group. Fifteen (31%) of 49 nafarelin-treated patients required alternative therapy, compared with 25 (57%) of 44 placebo-treated patients. The patients' pelvic pain scores dropped significantly in the nafarelin and placebo groups after 6 months of treatment. Physician summary ratings showed significant improvement in the nafarelin group and no significant changes in the placebo group after 6 months of treatment.

Conclusion(s): Compared with placebo, nafarelin administered after reductive laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis significantly delays the return of endometriosis symptoms requiring further treatment.