EFFECTS OF TRIPTORELIN VERSUS PLACEBO ON THE SYMPTOMS OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

Objective: To compare the effect of a GnRH-agonist, triptoielin, versu s placebo on the symptoms of endometriosis. Design: A prospective, ran domized, double-blind study of 6 months of treatment followed by 12 mo nths of follow-up. Setting: Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology a t two universities and one general hospital. Patient(s): Forty-nine wo men with symptoms of laparoscopically verified endometriosis. Interven tion(s): Triptorelin depot or placebo was given every 4 weeks. Clinica l evaluation, including the Duration intensity Behavior Scale and Visu al Analogue Scale for pain, was performed before the injections and up to 12 months after treatment. A control laparoscopy was performed 4-6 weeks after the last injection. Main Outcome Measure(s): Quantitation of pain. Result(s): Twenty-four patients had active treatment and 25 received placebo. Pain symptoms according to both scales were signific antly more reduced after 2 months of triptorelin treatment compared to placebo. The extent of endometriotic lesions was reduced 50% during t riptorelin treatment and increased 17% during placebo. The average are a of endometriotic lesions was reduced 45% during triptorelin treatmen t but was unchanged during placebo. Side effects, mainly hot Rushes, w ere experienced by 80% of the actively treated group but also by 33% o f patients in the placebo group. Because of recurrent symptoms, only f ive patients could be observed for 12 months after completion of treat ment. Conclusion(s): Triptorelin reduces endometriotic lesions and pai n to a significantly higher degree than placebo. (C) 1998 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.