Comparison of The Efficacy of Letrozole Versus Danazol in Pain Relief in Endometriosis

Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease defined as the presence of endometrium-like tissue outside the uterus which is responsive to the estrogen levels in blood circulation. Objective: To compare the efficacy of letrozole versus danazol in pain relief in endometriosis. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan from January 2018 to December 2021. Patients diagnosed with endometriosis were enrolled and detailed medical history was taken. Patients were randomly divided into either Letrozole (n=120) or Danazol (n=120) group. Both treatment groups were evaluated after 3 months of treatment and efficacy was compared in terms of pain relief in patients of endometriosis. Results: In a total of 240 patients, the mean age was 28.30±4.76 years. The mean endometrial cyst size was 2.48±1.14 cm. At baseline, mean visual analog scale (VAS) score was recorded as 5.46±1.09 points in letrozole group and 5.28±1.01 points in danazol group (p=0.186). After three months of treatment, the mean VAS score was 2.94±1.96 points in letrozole group and 3.99±1.90 points in danazol group (p=0.002). Relief of symptoms was observed in 114 (47.5%) women and more patients reported relief of symptoms in letrozole group (65 patients) than the danazol group (49 patients) (p=0.039). Conclusion: Letrozole was more effective as compare to danazol in relief of pain in patients with endometriosis