A Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety Profiles of Leuprorelin 3 Month Depot for the Treatment of Pelvic Endometriosis Abstract
Sik Hung SUEN, Sammy Chung Sum CHAN
Objective:
To evaluate the suppression of pituitary gonadotrophins and ovarian steroid hormones with the
administration of a combination of leuprorelin depot 3.75 mg and leuprorelin depot 11.25 mg at 5 weeks
apart.
Design:
Prospective open observational study.
Setting:
Gynaecology department of a public hospital under Hospital Authority in Hong Kong.
Patients:
25 consecutive symptomatic patients with laparoscopy or laparotomy proven stage III and stage IV
pelvic endometriosis were recruited from February 2003 to July 2004.
Main outcome measures:
Serum levels of 17-b-oestradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone; pelvic pain
scores.
Other outcome measures:
Side-effects and non-responders.
Results:
This regimen of treatment was found to significantly suppress the endogenous oestradiol level to
postmenopausal range and the pain scores to a very low level. These effects were well maintained till
24 weeks after commencement of treatment. Side-effects were mainly hot flushes and sweating and
were tolerable by all subjects.
Conclusion:
The combination of leuprorelin 3.75 mg and leuprorelin 11.25 mg 3 Month Depot is a safe and effective
alternative to conventional monthly injection of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists. It can
be recommended as a more cost-effective and patient-friendly alternative in the treatment of pelvic
endometriosis.
Hong Kong J Gynaecol Obstet Midwifery 2005; 5:2-9
