Dienogest 2 mg Daily in the Treatment of Adolescents with Clinically Suspected Endometriosis: The VISanne Study to Assess Safety in ADOlescents

A systematic review and Bayesian analysis of the adverse effects of dienogest

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Endometriosis and adenomyosis are two common diseases that impair women's health, and dienogest is one of the pharmacologic treatments which is the first-line therapeutic option for patients with pelvic pain and individuals who have no desire for immediate pregnancy. The goal of this study was to summarize the current evidence of adverse events associated with dienogest as well as the prevalence of these adverse events during treatment with dienogest.

METHODS

Several databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central and Clinicaltrials.gov, etc.) and the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) Public Dashboard were searched on May 31, 2023, using the topic words alongside free words of dienogest and "adverse reaction". Studies were incorporated into this research if they reported or assessed safety issues or adverse reactions of dienogest during the period of endometriosis treatment or adenomyosis therapy. The extracted information comprised trial design, dienogest and control group demographics, as well as reported side effects.

RESULTS

This systematic review comprehended 39 publications in total. The mean age of patients in the included studies was 34.43 years. The follow-up duration varied from 3 to 60 months. Most adverse reactions were common and not serious, and the most common adverse reactions during dienogest medication were abnormal uterine bleeding (55%, 95% CI 37-73%), amenorrhea (17%, 95% CI 2-42%) and swelling (13%, 95% CI 3-28%). Uncommon adverse reactions included dysmenorrhea (0.2%, n = 1), dyspepsia (0.4%, n = 1), and (lower) abdominal pain (1%, 95% CI 0-3%), urticaria (1%, 95% CI 0-3%) and peritonitis (1%, n = 1). Serious adverse reactions including decreased lumbar spine Bone Mineral Density (BMD), depression, peritonitis and so on have been reported. Heterogeneity assessment revealed that patient number and study design are influencing factors to adverse reaction prevalence. Moreover, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, back pain and anemia are side effects reported both in the FAERS database and in the systematic review.

CONCLUSIONS

Dienogest's most frequent side effects were not severe. Dienogest is generally safe for treating endometriosis and adenomyosis. Nevertheless, people should be aware of serious adverse reactions, such as decreased lumbar spine BMD and hemorrhagic shock.

Dienogest in conjunction with GnRH-a for postoperative management of endometriosis

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the postoperative efficacy of the combined administration of dienogest (DNG) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRH-a) in patients diagnosed with endometriosis (EMS), while acknowledging the extensive use of DNG in the extended therapeutic management of EMS. Methods: In this retrospective study, a cohort of 154 patients who underwent conservative surgical intervention for EMS were scrutinized. The cohort was stratified into two distinct groups based on their prescribed pharmacological regimens. Group A, 70 patients received postoperative oral administration of DNG at a dosage of 2 mg/day, whereas Group B, 84 patients underwent treatment involving 3 to 4 injections of GnRH-a post-surgery, followed by DNG therapy. Parameters assessed included pelvic pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores, quality of life metrics (EHP-5), and the incidence of adverse reactions within both groups. Results: Both groups exhibited sustained low VAS scores following the prescribed treatments. The predominant occurrence of adverse bleeding patterns manifested predominantly within the initial 6 months of the treatment. Notably, Group B demonstrated a significantly diminished of experiencing frequent and irregular bleeding in comparison to the DNG group (20.0% vs. 8.3%, 12.9% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.05). The administration of GnRH-a did not exacerbate the impact on bone health. Subsequent to health promotion interventions, the incidence of weight gain in both groups declined to 7.1% during the 6-month follow-up (p < 0.05). Group B exhibited a 100% satisfaction rate with the treatment, concomitant with a noteworthy reduction in EHP-5 scores (p < 0.05). Patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) nodules displayed marginally higher postoperative VAS scores than their non-DIE counterparts (0.89 ± 0.96 vs. 0.49 ± 0.78). However, with sustained medication use, pain scores within the DIE group exhibited a continual decrease, maintaining a low level of 0.29 ± 0.67 at 12 months and beyond. Conclusion: The short-term adjunctive use of GnRH-a prior to DNG treatment postoperatively in patients with EMS proves efficacious in mitigating early adverse bleeding, enhancing patient adherence, and improving overall quality of life. Notably, this therapeutic approach demonstrates favorable safety profiles and is equally effective in patients with DIE.

A systematic review to determine use of the Endometriosis Health Profiles to measure quality of life outcomes in women with endometriosis

BACKGROUND

The Endometriosis Health Profiles (EHPs), the EHP-30 and EHP-5, are patient-reported outcome measures that were developed to measure the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of women living with endometriosis. Prior to their development, a systematic review was undertaken which identified that the HRQoL of women living with endometriosis was poorly understood, with only three medical and one surgical study identified.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

The 20-year anniversary of the EHP-30 provided a timely opportunity to assess how the tools have been used and explore what the findings tell us about the impact of endometriosis and its associated treatments upon women's QoL. Applying robust systematic review methodology, following PRISMA guidelines, we sought to answer: How many studies have used the EHP and for what purpose?; What are the demographic characteristics and international context of the studies?; What is the methodological nature and quality of the studies?; Which interventions have been assessed and what are the reported EHP outcomes?; and Can the EHP outcomes of these interventions be analysed using a meta-analysis and, if so, what do the results show?

SEARCH METHODS

The electronic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched from the year the EHP was first published, in 2001 to 26 February 2020 using the search terms 'EHP30', 'EHP5', 'EHP-30', 'EHP-5', 'endometriosis health profile 30', and 'endometriosis health profile 5'. We updated the searches on 9 April 2021. All included studies were quality assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

OUTCOMES

The review included 139 papers. In clinical intervention studies, the EHPs were deployed most frequently to measure the outcomes of medical (n = 35) and surgical (n = 21) treatment. The EHPs were also used in 13 other intervention studies, 29 non-interventional studies, 32 psychometric/cross cultural validation studies; six diagnostic studies, and in three other studies to measure outcomes in related conditions. They were mainly deployed in studies undertaken in Europe and North America. Overall, regardless of the nature of the intervention, most women reported improvements in HRQoL after treatment. Surgical interventions generally resulted in significant improvements for the longest amount of time. There was also evidence that when participants stopped taking medication their EHP scores worsened, perhaps reinforcing the temporary impact of medical treatment. Younger patients reported more negative impact upon their HRQoL. Further evidence using classical test theory to support the EHPs' robust psychometric properties, including acceptability, dimensionality, reliability, validity (including cross-cultural), and responsiveness, was demonstrated, particularly for the EHP-30. Strikingly, using anchor-based methods, EHP-30 responsiveness studies demonstrate the largest mean changes in the 'control and powerlessness' domain post-intervention, followed by 'pain'. MMAT outcomes indicated the quality of the papers was good, with the exception of five studies. A meta-analysis was not undertaken owing to the heterogeneity of the interventions and papers included in this review.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

Women with endometriosis face a lifetime of surgical and/or medical interventions to keep the condition under control. Less invasive treatments that can lead to improved longer term physical and psycho-social outcomes are needed. The EHPs are reliable, valid, acceptable, and responsive tools, but more assessment of EHP outcomes using modern psychometric methods and in the context of women from ethnically diverse backgrounds and in routine clinical care would be beneficial. Given the brevity of the EHP-5, it may be the most appropriate version to use in routine clinical practice, whereas the longer EHP-30, which provides more granularity, is more appropriate for research.

Proposal for targeted, neo-evolutionary-oriented secondary prevention of early-onset endometriosis and adenomyosis. Part II: medical interventions

According to consistent epidemiological data, the slope of the incidence curve of endometriosis rises rapidly and sharply around the age of 25 years. The delay in diagnosis is generally reported to be between 5 and 8 years in adult women, but it appears to be over 10 years in adolescents. If this is true, the actual onset of endometriosis in many young women would be chronologically placed in the early postmenarchal years. Ovulation and menstruation are inflammatory events that, when occurring repeatedly for years, may theoretically favour the early development of endometriosis and adenomyosis. Moreover, repeated acute dysmenorrhoea episodes after menarche may not only be an indicator of ensuing endometriosis or adenomyosis, but may also promote the transition from acute to chronic pelvic pain through central sensitization mechanisms, as well as the onset of chronic overlapping pain conditions. Therefore, secondary prevention aimed at reducing suffering, limiting lesion progression, and preserving future reproductive potential should be focused on the age group that could benefit most from the intervention, i.e. severely symptomatic adolescents. Early-onset endometriosis and adenomyosis should be promptly suspected even when physical and ultrasound findings are negative, and long-term ovulatory suppression may be established until conception seeking. As nowadays this could mean using hormonal therapies for several years, drug safety evaluation is crucial. In adolescents without recognized major contraindications to oestrogens, the use of very low-dose combined oral contraceptives is associated with a marginal increase in the individual absolute risk of thromboembolic events. Oral contraceptives containing oestradiol instead of ethinyl oestradiol may further limit such risk. Oral, subcutaneous, and intramuscular progestogens do not increase the thromboembolic risk, but may interfere with attainment of peak bone mass in young women. Levonorgestrel-releasing intra-uterine devices may be a safe alternative for adolescents, as amenorrhoea is frequently induced without suppression of the ovarian activity. With regard to oncological risk, the net effect of long-term oestrogen-progestogen combinations use is a small reduction in overall cancer risk. Whether surgery should be considered the first-line approach in young women with chronic pelvic pain symptoms seems questionable. Especially when large endometriomas or infiltrating lesions are not detected at pelvic imaging, laparoscopy should be reserved to adolescents who refuse hormonal treatments or in whom first-line medications are not effective, not tolerated, or contraindicated. Diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms, including self-reported outcome measures, for young individuals with a clinical suspicion of early-onset endometriosis or adenomyosis are proposed.

Dienogest in endometriosis treatment: A narrative literature review

Endometriosis is characterized by the implantation of endometrial cells outside the uterus. This hormone-dependent disease is highly prevalent among women of reproductive age. Clinical symptoms of endometriosis include dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and infertility, which can negatively impact the overall quality of life of those affected. The medical treatment of endometriosis serves as an important therapeutic option, aimed at alleviating pain associated with the condition and suppressing the growth of endometriotic lesions. As such, it is employed as an adjuvant therapy following surgery or an empirical treatment after the clinical diagnosis of endometriosis. Dienogest, a fourth-generation progestin, has received approval for the treatment of endometriosis in many countries. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated its efficacy in managing endometriosis-associated pain, preventing symptoms, and reducing lesion recurrence. In this review, we examine the clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of dienogest in treating endometriosis. We also provide updated findings, drawing from clinical studies that focus on the long-term use of this medication in patients with endometriosis.

Update on the management of endometriosis-associated pain in France

The French National College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (CNGOF) published guidelines for managing endometriosis-associated pain in 2018. Given the development of new pharmacological therapies and a review that was published in 2021, most national and international guidelines now suggest a new therapeutic approach. In addition, a novel validated screening method based on patient questionnaires and analysis of 109-miRNA saliva signatures, which combines biomarkers and artificial intelligence, opens up new avenues for overcoming diagnostic challenges in patients with pelvic pain and for avoiding laparoscopic surgery when sonography and MRI are not conclusive. Dienogest (DNG) 2 mg has been a reimbursable healthcare expense in France since 2020, and, according to recent studies, it is at least as effective as combined hormonal contraception (CHC) and can be used as an alternative to CHC for first-line treatment of endometriosis-associated pain. Since 2018, the literature concerning the use of DNG has grown considerably, and the French guidelines should be modified accordingly. The levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG IUS) and other available progestins per os, including DNG, or the subcutaneous implant, can be offered as first-line therapy, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists with add-back therapy (ABT) as second-line therapy. Oral GnRH antagonists are promising new medical treatments for women with endometriosis-associated pain. They competitively bind to GnRH receptors in the anterior pituitary, preventing native GnRH from binding to GnRH receptors and from stimulating the secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Consequently, estradiol and progesterone production is reduced. Oral GnRH antagonists will soon be on the market in France. Given their mode of action, their efficacy is comparable to that of GnRH agonists, with the advantage of oral administration and rapid action with no flare-up effect. Combination therapy with ABT is likely to allow long-term treatment with minimal impact on bone mass. GnRH antagonists with ABT may thus be offered as second-line treatment as an alternative to GnRH agonists with ABT. This article presents an update on the management of endometriosis-associated pain in women who do not have an immediate desire for pregnancy.

Dienogest alone or dienogest combined with estrogens in the treatment of ovarian endometriomas, that is the question. A retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

to compare the effects of Dienogest 2 mg (D) alone or combined with estrogens (D + ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg, D + EE; D + estradiol valerate 1-3 mg, D + EV) in terms of symptoms and endometriotic lesions variations.

METHODS

This retrospective study included symptomatic patients in reproductive age with ultrasound diagnosis of ovarian endometriomas. Medical therapy for at least 12 months with D, D + EE or D + EV was required. Women were evaluated at baseline visit (V1) and after 6 (V2) and 12 months (V3) of therapy.

RESULTS

297 patients were enrolled (156 in the D group, 58 in the D + EE group, 83 in the D + EV group). Medical treatment leaded to a significant reduction in size of endometriomas after 12 months, with no differences between the three groups. When comparing D and D + EE/D + EV groups, a significant decrease of dysmenorrhea was detected in the D group than in D + EE/D + EV group. Conversely, the reduction of dysuria was more significative in the D + EE/D + EV groups rather than in the D group. Regarding tolerability, treatment associated side effects were reported by 16.2% patients. The most frequent one was uterine bleeding/spotting, significantly higher in the D + EV group.

CONCLUSION

Dienogest alone or associated with estrogens (EE/EV) seems to be equally effective in reducing endometriotic lesions mean diameter. The reduction of dysmenorrhea was more significative when D was administered alone, while dysuria seems to improve more when D is associated with estrogens.

In the thicket of fears, doubts, and murky facts: some reflections on treatment modalities for endometriosis-associated pain

Endometriosis-associated pain can be managed by either surgery or hormonal therapy. The final decision as to which treatment modality to take is based on efficacy and possible complications of different treatment modalities, risk of recurrence, and the patient's wishes and preferences. But in the thicket of fears, doubts, and murky facts, the choice may ultimately be the trade-off between irrational fears and ignorance versus scientific evidence. We elaborate some pros and cons of the two treatment modalities and highlight some notable downsides of hormonal therapy, in particular the possible yet unquantified risk of long-term hormonal therapy for malignant transformation, perhaps with the only exception of combined oral contraceptives. Thus, when discussing with patients, we advocate the approach of discussing the advantages and disadvantages of all treatment options in detail, accounting for the known pros and cons with a full understanding of the predictive irrationality of human beings. For endometriosis-associated pain, surgery is definitely not a failure of medicine but, rather, a viable option, especially given the recently surfaced undercurrent of wariness and dissatisfaction with the current hormonal drugs among patients with endometriosis. Above all, there is a pressing need to fill the knowledge gap of perioperative interventions intended to reduce the risk of recurrence and to fulfill the demand for the development of safe and efficacious non-hormonal therapeutics.

Efficacy of Dienogest in Adolescent Endometriosis: A Narrative Review

Teenage endometriosis is seen as a chronic condition that can worsen if untreated. Treatment objectives include relief of symptoms, prevention of disease development, and preservation of future fertility. In many regions, dienogest (DNG), an oral progestin, has emerged as a key treatment in suppressing endometriosis. The usage of DNG for endometriosis in adolescents was researched in papers published between 2015 and 2022 using PubMed and Google Scholar. A thorough search of all identified studies' reference lists and previously published literature reviews was carried out. The study's nature and geographic scope were not restricted. After reviewing these publications, the authors decided on which ones were the most pertinent in light of their personal experiences. The final study consisted of 14 studies that satisfied inclusion requirements. The trials showed that taking DNG 2 mg daily efficiently lowers endometriotic lesions, eases painful endometriosis symptoms, and improves quality-of-life indicators. In most of these investigations, DNG was shown to be safe and tolerated, with predictable and moderate side effects, good patient compliance rates, and low withdrawal rates. Although endometrioma did not enlarge while receiving treatment, significant regression was not typical. Overall, the studies found that DNG is safe and effective in reducing symptoms of endometriosis in adolescents.

Pelvic Pain, Mental Health and Quality of Life in Adolescents with Endometriosis after Surgery and Dienogest Treatment

BACKGROUND

Diagnostic and treatment delays have caused significant impacts on the physical and emotional well-being of adolescents with endometriosis, though such research is limited. This study aimed to assess the effects of one-year dienogest therapy on the clinical picture, pain patterns, psycho-emotional status, and quality-of-life indicators in adolescents with endometriosis after surgical treatment.

METHODS

The study enrolled 32 girls aged 13-17 with peritoneal endometriosis to analyze one-year dynamics of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), McGill Pain Questionnaire, Beck Depression Scale (BDI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and SF-36 quality-of-life survey scores along with clinical and laboratory indicators before surgery and after one-year dienogest therapy.

RESULTS

The therapy provided a significant alleviation of endometriosis-associated clinical symptoms, including dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, gastrointestinal/dysuria symptoms, decreased everyday activity (<0.001), a decrease in anxiety/depression scores (BDI, HADS, STAI), and quality-of-life improvement (<0.001). These effects were accompanied by beneficial dynamics in hormone and inflammatory markers (prolactin, cortisol, testosterone, estradiol, CA-125, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio; <0.005) within reference ranges. A low body mass index and high C-reactive protein levels were associated with higher VAS scores; a high estradiol level was a factor for anxiety/depression aggravation (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Dienogest, after surgical treatment, significantly improved quality of life and reduced pain symptoms while showing good tolerability and compliance, and reasoning with timely hormonal therapy in adolescents with endometriosis.

Clinical Diagnosis and Early Medical Management for Endometriosis: Consensus from Asian Expert Group

This work provides consensus guidance regarding clinical diagnosis and early medical management of endometriosis within Asia. Clinicians with expertise in endometriosis critically evaluated available evidence on clinical diagnosis and early medical management and their applicability to current clinical practices. Clinical diagnosis should focus on symptom recognition, which can be presumed to be endometriosis without laparoscopic confirmation. Transvaginal sonography can be appropriate for diagnosing pelvic endometriosis in select patients. For early empiric treatment, management of women with clinical presentation suggestive of endometriosis should be individualized and consider presentation and therapeutic need. Medical treatment is recommended to reduce endometriosis-associated pelvic pain for patients with no immediate pregnancy desires. Hormonal treatment can be considered for pelvic pain with a clinical endometriosis diagnosis; progestins are a first-line management option for early medical treatment, with oral progestin-based therapies generally a better option compared with combined oral contraceptives because of their safety profile. Dienogest can be used long-term if needed and a larger evidence base supports dienogest use compared with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) as first-line medical therapy. GnRHa may be considered for first-line therapy in some specific situations or as short-term therapy before dienogest and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as add-on therapy for endometriosis-associated pelvic pain.

Roles of microRNAs in Regulating Apoptosis in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a gynecologic disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial tissues outside the uterine cavity affecting reproductive-aged women. Previous studies have shown that microRNAs and their target mRNAs are expressed differently in endometriosis, suggesting that this molecule may play a role in the development and persistence of endometriotic lesions. microRNA (miRNA), a small non-coding RNA fragment, regulates cellular functions such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis by the post-transcriptional modulation of gene expression. In this review, we focused on the dysregulated miRNAs in women with endometriosis and their roles in the regulation of apoptosis. The dysregulated miRNAs and their target genes in this pathophysiology were highlighted. Circulating miRNAs as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of endometriosis have also been identified. As shown by various studies, miRNAs were reported to be a potent regulator of gene expression in endometriosis; thus, identifying the dysregulated miRNAs and their target genes could help discover new therapeutic targets for treating this disease. The goal of this review is to draw attention to the functions that miRNAs play in the pathophysiology of endometriosis, particularly those that govern cell death.

ESHRE guideline: endometriosis

STUDY QUESTION

How should endometriosis be diagnosed and managed based on the best available evidence from published literature?

SUMMARY ANSWER

The current guideline provides 109 recommendations on diagnosis, treatments for pain and infertility, management of disease recurrence, asymptomatic or extrapelvic disease, endometriosis in adolescents and postmenopausal women, prevention and the association with cancer.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Endometriosis is a chronic condition with a plethora of presentations in terms of not only the occurrence of lesions, but also the presence of signs and symptoms. The most important symptoms include pain and infertility.

STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION

The guideline was developed according to the structured methodology for development of ESHRE guidelines. After formulation of key questions by a group of experts, literature searches and assessments were performed. Papers published up to 1 December 2020 and written in English were included in the literature review.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS

Based on the collected evidence, recommendations were formulated and discussed within specialist subgroups and then presented to the core guideline development group (GDG) until consensus was reached. A stakeholder review was organized after finalization of the draft. The final version was approved by the GDG and the ESHRE Executive Committee.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

This guideline aims to help clinicians to apply best care for women with endometriosis. Although studies mostly focus on women of reproductive age, the guideline also addresses endometriosis in adolescents and postmenopausal women. The guideline outlines the diagnostic process for endometriosis, which challenges laparoscopy and histology as gold standard diagnostic tests. The options for treatment of endometriosis-associated pain symptoms include analgesics, medical treatments and surgery. Non-pharmacological treatments are also discussed. For management of endometriosis-associated infertility, surgical treatment and/or medically assisted reproduction are feasible. While most of the more recent studies confirm previous ESHRE recommendations, there are five topics in which significant changes to recommendations were required and changes in clinical practice are to be expected.

LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION

The guideline describes different management options but, based on existing evidence, no firm recommendations could be formulated on the most appropriate treatments. Also, for specific clinical issues, such as asymptomatic endometriosis or extrapelvic endometriosis, the evidence is too scarce to make evidence-based recommendations.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The guideline provides clinicians with clear advice on best practice in endometriosis care, based on the best evidence currently available. In addition, a list of research recommendations is provided to stimulate further studies in endometriosis.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

The guideline was developed and funded by ESHRE, covering expenses associated with the guideline meetings, with the literature searches and with the dissemination of the guideline. The guideline group members did not receive payments. C.M.B. reports grants from Bayer Healthcare and the European Commission; Participation on a Data Safety Monitoring Board or Advisory Board with ObsEva (Data Safety Monitoring Group) and Myovant (Scientific Advisory Group). A.B. reports grants from FEMaLE executive board member and European Commission Horizon 2020 grant; consulting fees from Ethicon Endo Surgery, Medtronic; honoraria for lectures from Ethicon; and support for meeting attendance from Gedeon Richter; A.H. reports grants from MRC, NIHR, CSO, Roche Diagnostics, Astra Zeneca, Ferring; Consulting fees from Roche Diagnostics, Nordic Pharma, Chugai and Benevolent Al Bio Limited all paid to the institution; a pending patent on Serum endometriosis biomarker; he is also Chair of TSC for STOP-OHSS and CERM trials. O.H. reports consulting fees and speaker's fees from Gedeon Richter and Bayer AG; support for attending meetings from Gedeon-Richter, and leadership roles at the Finnish Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Nordic federation of the societies of obstetrics and gynecology. L.K. reports consulting fees from Gedeon Richter, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Dr KADE/Besins, Palleos Healthcare, Roche, Mithra; honoraria for lectures from Gedeon Richter, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Dr KADE/Besins, Palleos Healthcare, Roche, Mithra; support for attending meetings from Gedeon Richter, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Dr KADE/Besins, Palleos Healthcare, Roche, Mithra; he also has a leadership role in the German Society of Gynecological Endocrinology (DGGEF). M.K. reports grants from French Foundation for Medical Research (FRM), Australian Ministry of Health, Medical Research Future Fund and French National Cancer Institute; support for meeting attendance from European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE), European Congress on Endometriosis (EEC) and ESHRE; She is an advisory Board Member, FEMaLe Project (Finding Endometriosis Using Machine Learning), Scientific Committee Chair for the French Foundation for Research on Endometriosis and Scientific Committee Chair for the ComPaRe-Endometriosis cohort. A.N. reports grants from Merck SA and Ferring; speaker fees from Merck SA and Ferring; support for meeting attendance from Merck SA; Participation on a Data Safety Monitoring Board or Advisory Board with Nordic Pharma and Merck SA; she also is a board member of medical advisory board, Endometriosis Society, the Netherlands (patients advocacy group) and an executive board member of the World Endometriosis Society. E.S. reports grants from National Institute for Health Research UK, Rosetrees Trust, Barts and the London Charity; Royalties from De Gruyter (book editor); consulting fees from Hologic; speakers fees from Hologic, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, Intuitive, Olympus and Karl Storz; Participation in the Medicines for Women's Health Expert Advisory Group with Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA); he is also Ambassador for the World Endometriosis Society. C.T. reports grants from Merck SA; Consulting fees from Gedeon Richter, Nordic Pharma and Merck SA; speaker fees from Merck SA, all paid to the institution; and support for meeting attendance from Ferring, Gedeon Richter and Merck SA. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

DISCLAIMER

This guideline represents the views of ESHRE, which were achieved after careful consideration of the scientific evidence available at the time of preparation. In the absence of scientific evidence on certain aspects, a consensus between the relevant ESHRE stakeholders has been obtained. Adherence to these clinical practice guidelines does not guarantee a successful or specific outcome, nor does it establish a standard of care. Clinical practice guidelines do not replace the need for application of clinical judgement to each individual presentation, nor variations based on locality and facility type. ESHRE makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the clinical practice guidelines and specifically excludes any warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular use or purpose (Full disclaimer available at www.eshre.eu/guidelines.).

Impact of Long-Term Dienogest Therapy on Quality of Life in Asian Women with Endometriosis: the Prospective Non-Interventional Study ENVISIOeN

Several clinical trials in women with endometriosis demonstrated that dienogest reduces endometrial lesions and improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL). To assess HRQoL in dienogest-treated patients in real-world setting, we conducted a prospective, non-interventional study in 6 Asian countries. Women aged ≥18 years with clinical or surgical diagnosis of endometriosis, presence of endometriosis-associated pelvic pain (EAPP) and initiating dienogest therapy were enrolled. The primary objective was to evaluate HRQoL using the Endometriosis Health Profile-30 (EHP-30) questionnaire. The secondary objectives included analysis of EAPP, satisfaction with dienogest, endometriosis symptoms and bleeding patterns. 887 patients started dienogest therapy. Scores for all EHP-30 scales improved with the largest mean changes at month 6 and 24 in scale pain (−28.9 ± 27.5 and − 34 ± 28.4) and control and powerlessness (−23.7 ± 28.2 and − 28.5 ± 26.2). Mean EAPP score change was −4.6 ± 3.0 for both month 6 and 24 assessments. EAPP decrease was similar in surgically and only clinically diagnosed patients. From baseline to month 24, rates of normal bleeding decreased (from 85.8% to 17.5%) while rates of amenorrhea increased (from 3.5% to 70.8%). Majority of patients and physicians were satisfied with dienogest. Over 80% of patients reported symptoms improvement. 39.9% of patients had drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events, including vaginal hemorrhage (10.4%), metrorrhagia (7.3%) and amenorrhea (6.4%). In conclusion, dienogest improves HRQoL and EAPP in the real-world setting in women with either clinical or surgical diagnosis of endometriosis. Dienogest might be a promising first-line treatment option for the long-term management of debilitating endometriosis-associated symptoms.

NCT02425462, 24 April 2015.

Real world data on symptomology and diagnostic approaches of 27,840 women living with endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic disease that requires a suitable, lifelong treatment. To our knowledge, the Visanne Post-approval Observational Study (VIPOS) is to date the largest real-world, non-interventional study investigating hormonal management of endometriosis. We describe women’s experiences of endometriosis in the real world by considering their symptoms and the diagnostic process in their healthcare setting. Overall, 27,840 women were enrolled from six European countries via networks of gynecologists or specialized centers. Of these, 87.8% of women were diagnosed based on clinical symptoms; the greatest and lowest proportions of women were in Russia (94.1%) and Germany (61.9%), respectively. Most women (82.8%) experienced at least one of the triad of endometriosis-associated pain symptoms: pelvic pain, pain after/during sexual intercourse, and painful menstrual periods. The most frequently reported endometriosis-associated symptoms were painful periods (61.8%), heavy/irregular bleeding (50.8%), and pelvic pain (37.2%). Women reported that endometriosis impacted their mood; 55.6% reported feeling “down”, depressed, or hopeless, and 53.2% reported feeling like a failure or having let down family/friends. VIPOS broadens our understanding of endometriosis based on real-world data by exploring the heterogeneity of symptoms women with endometriosis experience and the differences in diagnostic approaches between European countries.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01266421; registered 24 December 2010. Registered in the European Union electronic Register of Post-Authorisation Studies as number 1613.

Role of Dienogest in Endometriosis in Young Women

Introduction

Endometriosis associated pelvic pain (EAPP) is the most common complaint of patients with endometriosis. Nearly, 70% of females with endometriosis present with EAPP while endometriomas are found in 17-44% of patients.

Material and Methods

A short-term single centre study was carried out in 56 patients in the age group of 15-35 years with complaints of pain and diagnosed as endometriosis either by imaging studies and/or by laparoscopy was given dienogest 2 mg OD, and effect of treatment was seen as improvement of pain score over a period of 3 months. The effect of dienogest was also seen on size of endometrioma. Patients were followed up at 1 and 3 months.

Results and Discussion

Out of 56 patients, 38 (67.8%) patients reported their pain relief within 2-5 days after starting dienogest. Out of 41 patients (73%) who had severe pain at enrollment, only 1 patient (1.79%) complained of severe pain at the end of 1 month with dienogest. Successful reduction in endometriotic cyst size (>50%) was seen in 3 patients (5.3%) at the end of 1 month with dienogest. Out of 56 patients, 41 patients (73.2%) had significant pain relief (>30%) at three months of treatment. At the end of 3 months, seven patients (12.5%) had significant cyst size reduction (>50%) with dienogest. No major side effects were noted.

Conclusion

Dienogest is well tolerated drug for endometriosis showing significant relief of pain. However, it was seen that though endometriomas did not grow during treatment, significant regression was uncommon.

Premenopausal osteoporosis

In premenopausal women, bone mineral density measurement by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry should not be used as the sole guide for diagnosis or treatment of osteoporosis, universal screening with bone mineral density is not advised and the World Health Organization classification of bone status should not be applied. A diagnosis of premenopausal osteoporosis is reserved for those with evidence of fragility and may also be considered in women with low bone mass and an ongoing secondary cause of osteoporosis. Idiopathic osteoporosis in young women is rare. A thorough evaluation of secondary causes is indicated in all patients, with glucocorticoid treatment a common secondary cause of low bone mass and osteoporosis. Hypoestrogenism may be the primary cause of low bone mass and contribute to excessive bone loss in many conditions associated with premenopausal osteoporosis, and should be treated unless contra-indicated. The mainstay of treatment in premenopausal females with low bone mass includes risk factor reduction, advocating a healthy, active lifestyle and optimal treatment of secondary causes of bone loss. The safety of bone-specific therapy, especially long term and during pregnancy, remains uncertain. Bisphosphonates, teriparatide, denosumab and estrogen treatment increase bone density in premenopausal women with osteoporosis, but there are no study data confirming short-term fracture prevention with use of these agents.

Efficacy of cyclic and extended regimens of ethinylestradiol 0.02 mg -levonorgestrel 0.09 mg for dysmenorrhea: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 28-day Cyclic and 84-day Extended regimens of NPC-16 (ethinylestradiol 0.02 mg plus levonorgestrel 0.09 mg) in patients with dysmenorrhea.

METHODS

This was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial conducted in Japan. A total of 251 primary and secondary dysmenorrhea patients were randomly assigned to the NPC-16-Cyclic group, NPC-16-Extended group, or the Placebo group. The primary end point was a comparison of the efficacy and safety of the Cyclic and Extended NPC-16 regimen for the treatment of dysmenorrhea relative to the Placebo.

MAIN FINDINGS

Significantly greater reductions in total dysmenorrhea score and visual analog scale score were observed in the Cyclic and Extended groups compared with the Placebo group. Compared with the Cyclic regimen as a secondary end point, the Extended regimen exhibited greater efficacy in the treatment of dysmenorrhea over the course of the study period, particularly in patients with severe dysmenorrhea. The incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was significantly higher in the Cyclic and Extended groups than in the Placebo group.

CONCLUSION

The Cyclic and Extended regimens of NPC-16 significantly reduced dysmenorrhea severity compared to placebo. The Extended regimen was superior to cyclic regimen in reducing the dysmenorrhea.

[Endometriosis: gynecological diagnosis and treatment : What should pain management specialists know?]

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis is one of the most common diseases in women of reproductive age. Despite characteristic symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, chronic abdominal pain, dysuria, dyschezia and dyspareunia, the average latency until diagnosis is around 10 years. In addition to the individual limitations, the disease also has economic and health policy relevance. The complaints are followed by reductions in working hours, cyclically recurring short-term sick leave or presenteeism with reduced performance.

OBJECTIVE

An overview of the main recommendations of the S2k guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For the S2k guideline "Diagnostics and therapy of endometriosis", a systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Cochrane according to a defined algorithm and over a period of more than 5 years, from 01.01.2014 to 31.12.2018. For the evaluation, 322 publications, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials were considered and these were assessed by 41 mandate holders and representatives from 25 Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) and non-AWMF professional societies, organizations, associations and working groups of the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG), as well as two patient target groups.

RESULTS

In a structured consensus process, 48 recommendations and 27 statements were formulated, which are presented in extracts in this paper.

DISCUSSION

Interdisciplinary cooperation is essential in the treatment of patients with (suspected) endometriosis. This team should include all necessary disciplines in a cross-sectoral network. This is most likely to be achieved in a certified structure.

Dienogest and the Risk of Endometriosis Recurrence Following Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine whether dienogest therapy after endometriosis surgery reduces the risk of endometriosis recurrence compared with expectant management.

DATA SOURCES

Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, LILACS, clinicaltrials.gov, and International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Registry were searched from inception to March 2019 for observational and randomized controlled trials.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Medical Subject Heading terms and keywords such as "dienogest," "endometriosis," and "recurrence" were used to identify relevant studies.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

The search yielded 328 studies, 10 of which were eligible for inclusion, representing 1184 patients treated with dienogest and 846 expectantly managed controls. Among these studies, 9 looked exclusively at endometrioma recurrence, whereas 1 used reappearance of symptoms as evidence of disease recurrence. Data on both incidence of and time to recurrence of endometriosis were extracted. The incidence rate of endometriosis recurrence in patients treated with dienogest was 2 per 100 women over a mean follow-up of 29 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-3.11) versus 29 per 100 women managed expectantly over a mean follow-up of 36 months (95% CI, 25.66-31.74). The likelihood of recurrence was significantly reduced with postoperative dienogest (log odds -1.96, CI, -2.53 to -1.38, p <.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients receiving dienogest after conservative surgery for endometriosis had significantly lower risk of postoperative disease recurrence than those who were expectantly managed.

Safety of Dienogest and Other Hormonal Treatments for Endometriosis in Real-World Clinical Practice (VIPOS): A Large Noninterventional Study

INTRODUCTION

Endometriosis is a common gynecologic disease associated with a significant burden on women's health and healthcare systems. Currently approved hormonal treatments for endometriosis can be effective in controlling symptoms, but may have clinically relevant side effects that limit their long-term use. Dienogest 2 mg (Visanne; Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany) is a 19-nortestosterone derivative that significantly reduces menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, premenstrual pain, dyspareunia, and pelvic pain in women with endometriosis. Although dienogest 2 mg has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials, data regarding long-term and real-world use are limited.

METHODS

To our knowledge, the Visanne Post-approval Observational Study (VIPOS) is the largest real-world, noninterventional study performed examining the safety of dienogest and other hormonal treatments for the management of endometriosis in routine clinical practice. Patients self-reported medical and gynecologic history and symptoms and treatment information. Primary clinical outcomes were clinically validated and subject to independent blinded adjudication. Loss to follow-up was minimized through active contact with participating women at 6 months post-enrollment and annually thereafter to ensure almost all clinically relevant outcomes were captured.

PLANNED OUTCOMES

VIPOS planned to enroll approximately 25,000 women initiating a new treatment for endometriosis, including those prescribed dienogest 2 mg/day and other hormonal medications for endometriosis (approved or nonapproved), from approximately 1000 centers in six European countries. The main clinical outcomes of interest for follow-up are anemia requiring medical intervention, de novo or clinically worsening depression, and treatment-failure patterns that result in drug discontinuation. Additional analyses will characterize the baseline risk factors of medically managed patients with endometriosis and assess treatment utilization patterns. VIPOS was designed to provide real-world information on endometriosis treatment and associated clinical outcomes, while not affecting the prescribing physician's decisions or the classification of patient diagnoses.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

European Union Electronic Register of Post-Authorisation Studies (EU PAS) no. 1613, Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01266421.

Use of dienogest in endometriosis: a narrative literature review and expert commentary

Objective: Endometriosis affects up to 10% of women of reproductive age, and the main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms. Progestins have been the mainstay of endometriosis suppression, of which dienogest has become an important option in many parts of the world. This is an expert literature review, with recommendations on the use of dienogest in the context of various clinical considerations when treating endometriosis.Methods: A search of PubMed was conducted for papers published between 2007 and 2019 on the use of dienogest in endometriosis. Experts reviewed these and included those they considered most relevant in clinical practice, according to their own clinical experience.Results: Evidence regarding the long-term use (>15 months) of dienogest for the management of endometriosis is presented, with experts concluding that the efficacy of dienogest should be assessed primarily on its impact on pain and quality of life. Fertility preservation, the option to avoid or delay surgery, and managing bleeding irregularities that can occur with this treatment are also considered. Counseling women on potential bleeding risks before starting treatment may be helpful, and evidence suggests that few women discontinue treatment for this reason, with the benefits of treatment outweighing any impact of bleeding irregularities.Conclusions: Overall, the evidence demonstrates that dienogest offers an effective and tolerable alternative or adjunct to surgery and provides many advantages over combined hormonal contraceptives for the treatment of endometriosis. It is important that treatment guidelines are followed and care is tailored to the woman's individual needs and desires.

Baseline endometriosis-associated pain burden: Data from 1600+ women enrolled in elagolix clinical trials

Background:

The daily pain burden experienced by women with endometriosis has not been well studied.

Objective:

To characterize baseline pain among women with moderate-to-severe endometriosis-associated pain enrolled in phase 3 studies of elagolix, an oral, nonpeptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist.

Study design:

Data were pooled from the screening phase of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. After cessation of endometriosis medications, patients entered the screening phase during which symptoms (dysmenorrhea, nonmenstrual pelvic pain, and dyspareunia) and rescue medication use were recorded daily in electronic diaries. Endometriosis-associated pain was also scored using the Numeric Rating Scale (range 0–10). Baseline was defined as the last 35 days during the screening period.

Results:

Endometriosis-associated pain was reported by the 1686 study participants on most days during the baseline interval. Pain was often moderate or severe, with a mean Numeric Rating Scale score of 5.6 ± 1.7. Women reported dysmenorrhea an average of 8.1 ± 3.0 days (97.9% ± 7.0% of menstruating days), nonmenstrual pelvic pain on 20.5 ± 5.4 days (90.3% ± 15.8% of nonmenstruating days), and dyspareunia on 8.7 ± 8.0 days (81.7% ± 29.7% of sexually active days). When they occurred, dysmenorrhea, nonmenstrual pelvic pain, and dyspareunia were frequently moderate or severe in intensity. Women were free of pelvic pain for an average of 2.4 ± 3.9 days during the 35-day evaluation interval.

Conclusion:

Among women with untreated moderate-to-severe endometriosis pain, the daily burden of pain was extensive, both during menstruation and on nonmenstruating days.

Reviewing the role of progesterone therapy in endometriosis

Endometriosis is a benign, chronic inflammatory condition characterized by the presence and growth of endometrial implants outside the uterine cavity. The cause of endometriosis is multifactorial. It is due to the diversity of hypothesis and plausibility of hormonal alterations which could play a major role. Evidence has shown that progesterone resistance is a key factor for endometriosis sufferers. Medical therapy can avoid surgical intervention, which may lead to a reduced in ovarian reserve, and its effects of earlier menopause and reduced fecundity. Progesterone receptor isoform has provided new insight as the potential treatment. Progestin, anti-progestin and selective progesterone receptor modulators usage, which target these receptors, could avoid hypo-estrogenic side effects, which can be debilitating. Numerous types of these medications have been used on and off labeled to treat endometriosis with varying success. This review aims to consolidate series of clinical trials using progestins in endometriosis.

Comparison of dienogest effects upon 3,3'-diindolylmethane supplementation in models of endometriosis and clinical cases

Dienogest (DNG) administration is a well-established treatment for endometriosis but bleeding irregularities remain its main disadvantage. Changes in diet, mainly to vegetable consumption, are beneficial in the treatment of estrogen-related pathologies but their use for endometriosis has been poorly studied. In this study, addition of the phytochemical 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) to DNG therapy has been investigated in in vitro and ex vivo models for endometriosis and in a small cohort of women with endometriosis. Endometrial Ishikawa cells were treated with DNG or DIM at dosages from 10^-10 M to 10^-5 M for up to 72 h. Cell proliferation was measured by assessing BrdU incorporation. Endometrial tissue from women with endometriosis and controls was incubated with DNG or a combination of DNG and DIM. Tissue viability was determined using a modified colorimetric MTS assay. 17β-estradiol secretion was quantified by an electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. Finally, DNG as monotherapy or in combination with DIM was randomly administered to women with endometriosis (n = 8) over 3 months. Bleeding patterns and associated pelvic pain were assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). DNG and DIM significantly reduced cell proliferation in Ishikawa cells. Ex vivo, DIM reduced viability and estradiol secretion specifically in endometriotic but not in normal endometrial tissue. This effect was enhanced by combination with DNG. Endometriosis associated pelvic pain was significantly reduced in patients taking the DNG-DIM combination therapy compared to those taking DNG alone. Bleeding pattern (number and duration of episodes) was significantly improved by addition of DIM to the DNG treatment. In conclusion, addition of DIM enhances effects of DNG ex vivo and may ameliorate bleeding patterns in endometriosis patients.

A focus on the distinctions and current evidence of endometriosis in adolescents

Endometriosis (EM) occurring in adolescents presents distinct clinical and histologic characteristics compared to the disease in women. Because the symptoms of EM are nonspecific, often overlapping with those experienced in a range of gynecological and gastrointestinal conditions, the process of reaching a diagnosis of EM is often delayed. The diagnosis of EM is suspected depending on the history and the symptoms and signs, is corroborated by physical examination and imaging techniques, and is finally proved by histological examination of specimens collected during laparoscopy. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to make strong recommendations for management in adolescents who may have EM. This short report reviews some peculiarities of EM in adolescents and provides an update of recent knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of EM. We hope that the present contribution may help to bring more attention to the clinical diagnosis of EM and consequently aid in decreasing diagnostic delay.

Dienogest for Treatment of Endometriosis in Chinese Women: A Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Double-Blind Phase 3 Study

BACKGROUND

Dienogest is a progestin with demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of endometriosis in European women. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dienogest in Chinese women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter (n = 23) study evaluated the efficacy and safety of 2 mg dienogest once daily in 255 Chinese women aged 18-45 years with laparoscopically diagnosed endometriosis and an endometriosis-associated pelvic pain (EAPP) score ≥30 mm on a 0-100 mm visual analog scale. The primary efficacy variable was absolute change in EAPP from baseline to week 24. Secondary efficacy variables included proportions of responders and intake of supportive analgesic medication. Safety variables included adverse events (AEs), laboratory parameters, and bleeding patterns. Bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated in a subset of 140 women.

RESULTS

After 24 weeks of treatment, the difference between treatment arms for mean reduction in EAPP was statistically significant in favor of dienogest (-24.54 mm; 95% CI -29.93 to -19.15; p < 0.0001). Secondary efficacy analyses supported the significant superiority of dienogest over placebo. Dienogest was well tolerated, with few AEs associated with therapy. Dienogest had no effect on BMD levels after 24 weeks of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Dienogest 2 mg once daily for 24 weeks was superior to placebo in reducing EAPP and was safe and well tolerated in Chinese women with endometriosis. The results are consistent with studies previously conducted in European women.