Es. Orwoll et al., NAFARELIN THERAPY IN ENDOMETRIOSIS - LONG-TERM EFFECTS ON BONE-MINERAL DENSITY, American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 171(5), 1994, pp. 1221-1225
OBJECTIVE: The study intent was to examine long-term effects on bone m
ass of 3 or 6 months of nafarelin therapy for endometriosis. STUDY DES
IGN: Women with established endometriosis (N = 173) were randomized to
receive nafarelin (200 mu g intranasally twice a day) for either 3 or
6 months in a double-blind fashion. Bone mineral density was measured
by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry at lumbar spine and proximal femo
ral sites for 18 months. RESULTS: Bone mineral density declined at spi
nal and femoral sites similarly in both 3- and 6-month treatment group
s. There was a partial, but incomplete, return to,baseline levels afte
r 12 to 15 months of follow-up. The recovery of bone mass was more com
plete in subjects with higher dietary calcium intakes. CONCLUSION: Naf
arelin therapy for endometriosis results in a sustained loss of spinal
and femoral bone density, particularly in women with lower calcium in
takes.