( S ) Few studies of medical therapies for endometriosis report outcomes that are relevant to patients , and many women gain only limited or intermittent benefit from treatment
OBJECTIVE To assess patient response rates to medical therapies used to treat endometriosis-associated pain .
Long-term use of dienogest for the treatment of endometriosis.
AIM To investigate the safety and efficacy of 52 weeks of dienogest treatment in patients with endometriosis . METHODS One hundred and thirty-five patients with endometriosis received 2 mg of dienogest orally each day for 52 weeks . Adverse drug reactions and bone density were evaluated . Global improvement was assessed based on the changes in severity categories of five subjective symptoms during non-menstruation ( lower abdominal pain , lumbago , dyschezia , dyspareunia , and pain on vaginal examination ) and two objective findings ( in duration involving the pouch of Douglas and limited uterine mobility ) . RESULTS The most common adverse drug reactions included metrorrhagia ( 71.9 % ) , headaches ( 18.5 % ) , and constipation ( 10.4 % ) . No clinical ly significant changes were noted in the incidence or severity of reactions associated with the course of the treatment period ( 52 weeks ) . Changes from the baseline bone mineral density of the lumbar spine measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were -1.6 + /- 2.4 % and -1.7 + /- 2.2 % ( mean + /- st and ard deviation ) at 24 and 52 weeks , respectively , which were statistically significant decreases ; however , there was no cumulative decrease . The proportions of patients assessed as marked or moderate improvement in terms of global improvement were 72.5 % ( 95/131 cases ) at 24 weeks and 90.6 % ( 106/117 cases ) at 52 weeks . CONCLUSION The long-term effect of dienogest on bone mineral density was slight , whereas the efficacy increased cumulatively
( S ) Few studies of medical therapies for endometriosis report outcomes that are relevant to patients , and many women gain only limited or intermittent benefit from treatment
OBJECTIVE To assess patient response rates to medical therapies used to treat endometriosis-associated pain .