Abstract
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic pelvic pain is a condition that lacks specific treatment and often is refractory to several therapeutic approaches. This study aims to report two patients in whom chronic pelvic pain was nearly completely controlled with thalidomide as an add-on therapy. CASES REPORT: The response to therapy of two postmenopausal women who presented to our service with a longstanding history of refractory chronic pelvic pain secondary to interstitial cystitis is reported. Due to their uncontrolled pain and consequent poor quality of life, these women were started on thalidomide at 25 mg/day as an add-on therapy. At one-month follow-up, the patients' pain was reduced in 80% and 70%, respectively. Subsequently, their pain increased, but was again relieved with higher doses of thalidomide. Notably, this medication was well tolerated by both patients. At one-year follow-up and eleven-month follow-up (respectively), their pain has remained controlled and their quality of life is significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that thalidomide may have therapeutic value for chronic pelvic pain/interstitial cystitis. Based on previously published data, we hypothesize that suppression of TNF-alpha may be one of the mechanisms by which thalidomide controls pelvic pain. Our study may lead to a better understanding of the currently unclear pathogenesis of chronic pelvic pain. Lastly, we hope to encourage further studies to establish the efficacy and safety of thalidomide for CPP and other chronic pain conditions.
Highlights
Thalidomide was developed in 1953 as a sedative
By suppressing TNF-alpha, there is a consequent decrease in various other pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin 1Beta (IL-1B), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 8 (IL-8), leading to an overall inhibition of inflammation[3]
The authors hypothesized that the symptom control observed in these patients was due to the antiangiogenic property of thalidomide
Summary
AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic pelvic pain is a condition that lacks specific treatment and often is refractory to several therapeutic approaches. Cases report: The response to therapy of two postmenopausal women who presented to our service with a longstanding history of refractory chronic pelvic pain secondary to interstitial cystitis is reported. Due to their uncontrolled pain and consequent poor quality of life, these women were started on thalidomide at 25 mg/day as an add-on therapy. Este estudo teve como objetivo relatar duas pacientes nas quais a dor pélvica crônica foi praticamente controlada com a talidomida como terapia complementar. RELATO DOS CASOS: Resposta à terapia de duas pacientes no período de pós-menopausa que compareceram ao nosso serviço com um longo histórico de dor pélvica crônica refratária, secundária a cistite intersticial.
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