nafarelin and Uterine-Hemorrhage

The aim of this study was to determine whether or not the use of medical pre-treatment of the endometrium improves the outcome of transcervical resection of the endometrium with regards to long-term operative outcome, histological findings and patient satisfaction. A prospective randomized trial comparing three endometrial pre-treatment agents (danazol, medroxyprogesterone acetate or nafarelin) with no pre-treatment was conducted. The main outcome measures were: (i) thickness of the endometrium and myometrium resected; (ii) histological stage of the endometrium at the time of operation; (iii) the presence or absence of menses and (iv) patient satisfaction 1 year post-operatively. Of the three pre-treatments studied, danazol produced a lower median endometrial thickness than the control, showed the greatest ability to induce atrophy of the endometrial glands and stroma (not statistically significant) and produced the highest rate of amenorrhoea (not different to the control). Danazol and nafarelin produced significantly lower median endometrial thickness than no pre-treatment. There were, however, no significant differences in the rates of amenorrhoea in any of the pre-treatment groups compared with that in the control group. No improvement in clinical outcome or patient satisfaction is conferred by the use of medical pre-treatments if transcervical resection of the endometrium is performed in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle.

Topics: Amenorrhea; Danazol; Endometrium; Estrogen Antagonists; Female; Hormones; Humans; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; Menorrhagia; Nafarelin; Patient Satisfaction; Premedication; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Uterine Hemorrhage

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nafarelin before hysterectomy in a prospective placebo-controlled trial, we randomized 188 pre-menopausal women with uterine fibroids (n = 111), menometrorrhagia (n = 58) or pelvic pain (n = 19) to receive either nafarelin (200 micrograms twice daily as a nasal spray) or a placebo for 3 months before abdominal hysterectomy. The data analysis could be performed in 166 women, of whom 107 received nafarelin and 59 a placebo. Nafarelin led to a rise in blood haemoglobin (5.5 g/l) and to a decrease in uterine volume (23.7%). This, however, gave no objective benefit during surgery (similar operative durations and blood losses). The uteri from patients treated with nafarelin (255.5 +/- 12.6 g, mean +/- SD) were significantly lighter (P = 0.029) than those from patients treated with a placebo (346.2 +/- 35.7 g). Histological examination of the fibroids or uteri revealed changes typical for hypo-oestrogenism, but no specific histological pattern could be established. The endometrium was proliferative in 56% and showed mild hyperplastic features in 10% of patients given nafarelin, whereas the respective figures for the placebo group were 41 and 0%. Hot flushes were the most common side-effects, being reported by 61% in the nafarelin group and 35% in the placebo group. Nafarelin can be useful as a pre-surgical adjunct in a patient scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy if there is a need to raise the haemoglobin concentration or to reduce the size of the uterus.

Topics: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Double-Blind Method; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Humans; Hysterectomy; Nafarelin; Placebos; Postoperative Hemorrhage; Premedication; Prospective Studies; Uterine Hemorrhage; Uterus

Nafarelin, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of endometriosis. The standard dosage is 200 micrograms bid intranasally. Side effects most commonly include those associated with estrogen deprivation. By assessing estrogen status, the standard dosage can be manipulated to minimize these side effects and increase patient compliance.

Topics: Administration, Intranasal; Adult; Analgesia; Endometriosis; Estradiol; Female; Humans; Nafarelin; Pelvic Pain; Uterine Hemorrhage