A multicentre comparative study of gestrinone and danazol in the treatment of endometriosis

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Abstract
Following laparoscopic diagnosis and staging (American Fertility Society) of endometriosis, 269 patients, recruited from 10 hospitals, were allocated at random to groups receiving either gestrinone (2—5 mg) twice weekly (n = 132) or danazol (200 mg) twice daily (n = 137) for 6 months. Symptoms of endometriosis and clinical assessments were recorded at recruitment, monthly during treatment and at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after treatment. Elimination or reduction of visible endometriosis was seen at laparoscopy after treatment in 42 (77 per cent) of gestrinone and 39 (82 per cent) of danazol treated patients. Lower abdominal pain, dysmenorrhoea and dyspareunia were reduced with both treatments. Side effects were reported by 91 per cent of gestrinone and 89 per cent of danazol patients, but only 19 per cent of the gestrinone group and 21 per cent in the danazol group withdrew. In 76 per cent of those withdrawing the reason was treatment related. Recurrence of the symptoms was low in 173 patients completing 12 months follow up. Pregnancy rates after treatment were 31 per cent in gestrinone and 18 per cent in danazol treated patients. In conclusion, gestrinone is as safe and effective as danazol in treating and in preventing recurrence of the symptoms of endometriosis.