Efficacy and safety of LY01005 versus goserelin implant in Chinese patients with prostate cancer: A multicenter, randomized, open-label, phase III, non-inferiority trial / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#LY01005 (Goserelin acetate sustained-release microsphere injection) is a modified gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist injected monthly. This phase III trial study aimed to evaluated the efficacy and safety of LY01005 in Chinese patients with prostate cancer.@*METHODS@#We conducted a randomized controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial across 49 sites in China. This study included 290 patients with prostate cancer who received either LY01005 or goserelin implants every 28 days for three injections. The primary efficacy endpoints were the percentage of patients with testosterone suppression ≤50 ng/dL at day 29 and the cumulative probability of testosterone ≤50 ng/dL from day 29 to 85. Non-inferiority was prespecified at a margin of -10%. Secondary endpoints included significant castration (≤20 ng/dL), testosterone surge within 72 h following repeated dosing, and changes in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prostate specific antigen levels.@*RESULTS@#On day 29, in the LY01005 and goserelin implant groups, testosterone concentrations fell below medical-castration levels in 99.3% (142/143) and 100% (140/140) of patients, respectively, with a difference of -0.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.9% to 2.0%) between the two groups. The cumulative probabilities of maintaining castration from days 29 to 85 were 99.3% and 97.8%, respectively, with a between-group difference of 1.5% (95% CI, -1.3% to 4.4%). Both results met the criterion for non-inferiority. Secondary endpoints were similar between groups. Both treatments were well-tolerated. LY01005 was associated with fewer injection-site reactions than the goserelin implant (0% vs . 1.4% [2/145]).@*CONCLUSION@#LY01005 is as effective as goserelin implants in reducing testosterone to castration levels, with a similar safety profile.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04563936.

Tratamiento hormonal de la pedofilia: ¿puede curar la pedofilia con la castración química? / Pedophilia hormonal therapy: can pedophilia be cured with chemical castration

Históricamente la sociedad ha rechazado el abuso sexual de menores de 13 años, dictándose leyes al respecto. La justicia luego de un debido proceso condenaba al victimario con reclusión incluso hasta la década del 70-80, con orquiectomía. Los adelantos en neurobiología, endocrinología, sicofarmacología y sicología se consideraron las bases para tratar al pedófilo y someterlo a libertad condicional, ahorrándose el costo financiero de la reclusión de por vida. Diversos países dictaron leyes contra la conducta pedófila. En dicha legislación ejerció gran influencia la promulgación en EE.UU. (estado de Washington "sobre el ofensor sexual" y el dictamen de la Corte Suprema en 1997 en el juicio de Kansas vs Hendricks). En Chile en los 90 el caso del pedófilo apodado "Zacarach" sacó a la luz pública el tema que no se quería ver. En esa fecha se presentó al parlamento un proyecto de Ley para "curar" la pedofilia con acetato de Medroxiprogesterona imitando legislación de EE.UU. Causó sorpresa en el medio endocrinológico que se usara terapia hormonal como "cura" de la pedofilia. Se ha utilizado en varios países la castración química producida por gestágenos o agonístas del GnRH más antiandrógenos (acetato de Ciproterona), para inhibir la secreción y acción de la testosterona disminuyendo líbido y erección. No se ha demostrado que exista curación de la orientación pedófila y existen dudas de la prevención primaria y secundaria de la pedofilia. Pese al adelanto tecnológico en neurociencias para estudio de las zonas vinculadas a la sexualidad, aún no existen marcadores que permitan diagnosticar o pronosticar futuros resultados de la terapia. El tratamiento médico de la pedofilia no garantiza curación ni prevención del delito pedofílico.

Historically, society has rejected sexual abuse of children under 13, with there having been laws enacted in this regard. The judicial system, after a due process, condemned the perpetrator with reclusion and even up until the decades of the 70s and 80s with orchiectomy. Advances in neurobiology, endocrinology, psychopharmacology and psychology were considered the basis for treating the pedophile and putting them on probation, saving the financial cost of imprisonment for life. Multiple countries have enacted laws against pedophilic behaviour. Such legislation was greatly influenced by the enactment in the USA (state of Washington "on the sex offender" and the ruling of the Supreme Court in 1997 in the trial of Kansas against Hendricks). In Chile in the 90s, the case of a pedophile nicknamed "Zacarach" brought to light an issue that nobody wanted to see. Around that time, a bill was presented to Parliament to try and "cure" pedophilia with Medroxyprogesterone acetate, imitating US legislation. It was a surprise in the endocrinological world that hormonal therapy would be used as a "cure" for pedophilia. Chemical castration produced by gestagens or GnRH agonists plus antiandrogens (Cyproterone acetate) has been used in several countries to inhibit the secretion and action of testosterone, reducing libido and erection. It has not been proven that there is a cure for pedophile orientation and there are doubts about the primary and secondary prevention of pedophilia. Despite technological advances in neurosciences for the study of the zones pertaining to sexuality, there are still no indicators that allow for diagnosis or prediction of future results of therapy. The medical treatment of pedophilia does not guarantee cure or prevention of pedophilic crime.

Efficacy of Qizi Yusi Pill on Pregnancy Outcomes in Women of Advanced Reproductive Age: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evalvate efficacy of Qizi Yusi Pills (QYP), a Chinese medicine compound preparation, on in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in women of advanced reproductive age.@*METHODS@#This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted from June 2018 to October 2019. A total of 124 patients were randomly allocated to either the QYP group or the placebo group using a stratified block randomization design, with 62 patients in each group. All patients completed controlled ovarian stimulation using a standard gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) long protocol. As the QYP group, QYP was administered while the control group received placebo. QYP and placebo were administered for a total of 24 to 30 days from the day of GnRH-a pituitary downregulation to transvaginal oocyte retrieval. Both medications were taken orally at doses of 10 g three times each day. The primary outcome was cumulative pregnancy rate, and the secondary outcomes were periodic medication, follicular status, serum hormone and endometrial receptivity. Follow-up continued until 4 weeks after delivery. Maternal and neonatal complications, such as gestational diabetes, were also observed.@*RESULTS@#Overall, 119 patients completed the study, 60 in the QYP group and 59 in the placebo group. Per protocol (PP) analysis revealed that 6-month cumulative pregnancy rate in the QYP group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group [43.33% (26/60) vs. 25.42% (15/59), P=0.040). Additionally, more oocytes were retrieved from the QYP group than those from the placebo group (8.95 ± 3.12 vs. 7.85 ± 1.91, P=0.022). Moreover, the endometrial thickness of HCG day in the QYP group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (11.78 ± 2.27 mm vs. 10.68 ± 2.07 mm, P=0.012). Maternal and neonatal complications between the two groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). Intention-to-treat analysis was in line with PP results.@*CONCLUSIONS@#QYP can enhance ovarian reserve capacity and ovarian response, and possibly promote endometrial receptivity. QYP effectively improves cumulative pregnancy rates in older patients (⩾35 years) undergoing IVF-ET. (Registration No. ChiCTR1800014427).

TeleCondutas: sangramento uterino anormal / TeleGuides: abnormal uterine bleeding

Sangramento uterino anormal (SUA) é caracterizado por diferentes padrões de sangramento menstrual que variam de alteração no volume, irregularidades na duração e no ciclo menstrual. A condição costuma impactar na qualidade de vida das mulheres, sendo um problema de saúde frequente no atendimento da Atenção Primária à Saúde, acometendo cerca de 10% das mulheres em idade reprodutiva. As principais causas do sangramento uterino anormal são disfunções ovulatórias, gravidez, anormalidades estruturais, distúrbios de coagulação e causas iatrogênicas. Esta guia apresenta informação que orienta a conduta para casos de sangramento uterino anormal no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde, incluindo: classificação, etiologias de SUA por faixa etária, avaliação diagnóstica, tratamento, encaminhamento para serviço especializado.

effect of coasting on intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome in antagonist and agonist cycle

Background: Coasting can reduce the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome [OHSS] risk in ovulation induction cycles before intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]. This study aimed to investigate the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH] agonist and GnRH antagonist protocols to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation [COH] cycles with coasting on the parameters of ICSI cycles and the outcome

Materials and Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, 117 ICSI cycles were performed and coasting was applied due to hyperresponse, between 2006 and 2011. The ICSI outcomes after coasting were then compared between the GnRH agonist group [n=91] and the GnRH antagonist group [n=26]

Results: The duration of induction and the total consumption of gonadotropins were found to be similar. Estradiol [E[2]] levels on human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] day were found higher in the agonist group. Coasting days were similar when the two groups were compared. The number of mature oocytes and the fertilization rates were similar in both groups; however, the number of grade 1 [G1] embryos and the number of transferred embryos were higher in the agonist group. Implantation rates were significantly higher in the antagonist group compared to the agonist group. Pregnancy rates/embryo transfer rates were higher in the antagonist group; however, this difference was not statistically significant [32.8% for agonist group vs. 39.1% for antagonist group, P>0.05]

Conclusion: The present study showed that applying GnRH-agonist and GnRH-antagonist protocols to coasted cycles did not result in any differences in cycle parameters and clinical pregnancy rates

Final follicular maturation by administration of GnRH agonist plus HCG versus HCG in normal responders in ART cycles: an RCT

Background: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists [GnRH-a] was increasingly used for triggering oocyte maturationfor the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Studies suggest that GnRH-a might be used as a better trigger agent since it causes both Luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone release from a physiologic natural cycle

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dual-triggering in assisted reproductive technology outcomes

Materials and Methods: 192 normal responder women aged

Results: The mean of retrieved oocytes and obtained embryos were statistically higher in the dual-trigger group [group I], but the implantation and pregnancy rates were similar in two groups

Conclusion: The results of our study did not confirm the favorable effect of dual-triggered oocyte maturation with a GnRH-a and a standard dosage of hCG as an effective strategy to optimize pregnancy outcome for normal responders in GnRH-antagonist cycles. We think that this new concept requires more studies before becoming a universal controlled ovarian hyperstimulation protocol in vitro fertilization practice

Outcomes of GnRH agonist triggering in assisted reproductive technology: a systematic review / Resultados da maturação oocitária final com agonistas do GnRH nos ciclos de reprodução assistida: uma revisão sistemática

Objective: To make a review of studies that assessed the outcomes of GnRH agonist oocyte triggering in comparison with hCG in prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and pregnancy rates. Methods: A systematic review of studies presented in the following database: PUBMED, Lilacs and Scielo submitted from January 2005 to October 2015. The keywords were ovulation induction, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and gonadotropin releasing hormone. Results: One hundred fifty-four articles were found. From these, twelve studies were completely analyzed. Eight fulfilled the inclusion criteria and one was included after the bibliographic review of the previous ones. From these nine submitted articles, two are retrospective and the others are prospective. Conclusion: The use of GnRH agonist for oocyte triggering was comparable with hCG and showed low frequency of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.(AU)

Objetivo: Fazer uma revisão dos estudos que avaliaram os desfechos do agonista de GnRH no ovócito em comparação com hCG na prevenção da síndrome de hiperestimulação ovariana e nas taxas de gestação. Métodos: Revisão sistemática de estudos presentes nos seguintes bancos de dados: Pubmed, Lilacs e Scielo, apresentados de janeiro de 2005 até outubro de 2015. As palavras-chave foram indução da ovulação, síndrome de hiperestimulação ovariana e hormônio liberador de gonadotropina. Resultados: Foram localizados 154 artigos; 12 foram integralmente analisados; oito preenchiam os critérios de inclusão; um foi incluído depois da revisão bibliográfica dos estudos precedentes. Dentre esses nove artigos apresentados, dois são retrospectivos e os demais são prospectivos. Conclusão: O uso do agonista de GnRH para a indução do ovócito foi comparável ao hCG, demonstrou baixa frequência de síndrome de hiperestimulação ovariana.(AU)

Pubertad precoz y temprana: evaluación y tratamiento / Early puberty: evaluation and treatment

El autor de este artículo repasa las características clínicas de la pubertad precoz y la pubertad temprana, las pruebas diagnósticas indicadas en la evaluación de los pacientes que la presentan y las recomendaciones actuales de tratamiento. (AU)

The author of this article reviews the clinical features of early puberty, the diagnostic tests for the patients ́ evaluation andthe current treatment recommendations. (AU)

Metabolic effects of androgen deprivation therapy

The therapeutic effects and side effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which is a main treatment method for metastatic prostate cancer, are well known, but the metabolic effects have only recently been studied. This review describes the effects of ADT on body habitus, insulin resistance, lipid profiles, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The review was done by using KoreaMed and PubMed to search the medical literature related to prostate cancer, ADT, body habitus, lipid profile, diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. ADT increases fat mass and decreases lean body mass. Fat mostly accumulates in the subcutaneous area. ADT increases total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein, as well as the risk for insulin resistance and diabetes. ADT also increases the risk for cardiovascular events, but insufficient evidence is available for a correlation with mortality. ADT changes body habitus and lipid profiles and has different characteristics than those of classic metabolic syndrome, but it is related to insulin resistance and diabetes. ADT increases the risk for cardiovascular events. No consistent guidelines have been proposed for treating the metabolic effects of ADT, but the generally recommended treatment methods for lowering the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease should be fully understood. Additional studies are necessary.

luteal phase after GnRHa trigger-understanding an enigma

The luteal phase of all stimulated in vitro fertilization/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection [IVF/ICSI] cycles is disrupted, which makes luteal phase support [LPS] mandatory. The cause of the disruption is thought to be the multifollicular development achieved during ovarian stimulation which results in supraphysiological concentrations of steroids secreted by a high number of corpora lutea during the early luteal phase. This will directly inhibit luteinizing hormone [LH] secretion by the pituitary via negative feedback at the level of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, leading to a luteal phase defect. With the introduction of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH] antagonist protocol, it became feasible to trigger final oocyte maturation and ovulation with a single bolus of GnRH agonist [GnRHa] as an alternative to human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG]. GnRHa triggering presents several advantages, including the reduction in or even elimination of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Despite the potential advantages of GnRHa triggering, previous randomized controlled trials reported a poor clinical outcome with high rates of early pregnancy losses, despite supplementation with a standard LPS in the form of progesterone and estradiol. Following these disappointing results, several studies now report a luteal phase rescue after modifications of the LPS, resulting in a reproductive outcome comparable to that seen after hCG triggering. We herein review luteal phase differences between the natural cycle, hCG trigger and GnRHa trigger and present the most recent data on handling the luteal phase after GnRHa triggering

Uso de agonista de GnRH para inducir ovulación en ciclos de hiperestimulación ovárica controlada: experiencia de Clínica Monteblanco, Santiago, Chile / Use of GnRH agonist to induce ovulation cycles controlled ovarian hyperstimulation: experience of Monteblanco Clinic, Santiago, Chile

Objetivo: Presentar la experiencia de la Unidad de Medicina Reproductiva de Clínica Monteblanco con el uso de análogos GnRh para la inducción final de la maduración ovocitaria. Método: Se registraron los casos de IVF/ICSI durante el año 2012 en los que se indujo la maduración final ovocitaria con análogos GnRh (Lupron®). Todos los ciclos fueron estimulados con FSHr (Puregon®) y gonadotrofina urinaria altamente purificada (Menopur®), para la prevención del alza prematura de LH, el día 5° de estimulación se agregó diariamente antagonista de GnRh. La maduración ovocitaria final se realizó con 1,25 mg de acetato de leuprolide (Lupron®), posteriormente se realizó aspiración folicular bajo guía ecográfica. Todos los embriones obtenidos fueron vitrificados y transferidos en ciclos posteriores. Resultados: Entre enero y diciembre del año 2012 se registraron 110 pacientes cuya inducción de maduración final ovocitaria se realizó con acetato de leuprolide. El promedio de ovocitos recuperados fue de 21, la proporción de ovocitos maduros fue de 72 por ciento y la frecuencia de fecundación fue de 64 por ciento. No hubo ningún caso de síndrome de hiperestimulación ovárico severo. Conclusiones: En los casos presentados de inducción de la maduración ovocitaria final con acetato de leuprolida, los resultados obtenidos son óptimos en términos de número de ovocitos en metafase II recuperados y en frecuencia de fecundación, mostrando ser una alternativa eficiente en la prevención del síndrome de hiperestimulación ovárico severo, sin alterar el pronóstico de las pacientes.

Objective: To present the experience of the Reproductive Medicine Unit of Clinica Monteblanco inducing oocyte final maturation by GnRh analogue administration. Methods: We analysed all IVF/ICSI cases performed in 2012, in which final oocyte maturation was induced by administration of GnRH analogue (Lupron®). Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was achieved bydaily rFSH (Puregon®) and highly purified urinary gonadotropin (Menopur®) administration. In order to prevent premature LH rise, on the 5th day of stimulation daily GnRH antagonist (Orgalutran®) was added. Final oocyte maturation was induced by the administration of 1.25 mg leuprolide acetate (Lupron®). Follicular aspiration was subsequently performed under ultrasound guidance. All embryos were vitrified and transferred in a subsequent cycle. Results: We registered 110 patients. The mean number of recovered oocytes was 21; the proportion of mature oocytes was 72 percent, and the fecundation rate reached was 64 percent. No case of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) was recorded. Conclusions: In this cohort, the use of leuprolide acetate for induce final oocyte maturation demonstrated to be an efficient alternative to induce oocyte final maturation, while preventing OHSS.

Microdose GnRH agonist flare-up versus ultrashort GnRH agonist combined with fixed GnRH antagonist in poor responders of assisted reproductive techniques cycles

This study compares the microdose flare-up protocol to the ultrashort gonadotropinreleasing hormone [GnRH] agonist flare combined with the fixed multidose GnRH antagonist protocol in poor responders undergoing ovarian stimulation. In this randomized clinical trial, 120 women who were candidates for assisted reproductive techniques [ART] and had histories of one or more failed in vitro fertilization [IVF] cycles with three or fewer retrieved oocytes were prospectively randomized into two groups. Group I [60 patients] received the microdose flare-up regimen and group II [60 patients] received the ultrashort GnRH agonist combined with fixed GnRH antagonist. There were no significant differences between the groups in the number of used gonadotropin ampoules [p=0.591], duration of stimulation [p=0.610], number of retrieved oocytes [p=0.802], fertilization rate [p=0.456], and the number of transferred embryos [p=0.954]. The clinical pregnancy rates were statistically similar in group I [10%] compared with group II [13.3%, p=0.389]. According to our results, there is no significant difference between these protocols for improving the ART outcome in poor responders. Additional prospective, randomized studies with more patients is necessary to determine the best protocol [Registration Number: IRCT201105096420N1]

Chemical Castration for Sexual Offenders: Physicians' Views

No abstract available.

Bone mineral density and body composition in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty before and after treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist

OBJECTIVES: Idiopathic central precocious puberty and its postponement with a (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) GnRH agonist are complex conditions, the final effects of which on bone mass are difficult to define. We evaluated bone mass, body composition, and bone remodeling in two groups of girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty, namely one group that was assessed at diagnosis and a second group that was assessed three years after GnRH agonist treatment. METHODS: The precocious puberty diagnosis and precocious puberty treatment groups consisted of 12 girls matched for age and weight to corresponding control groups of 12 (CD) and 14 (CT) girls, respectively. Bone mineral density and body composition were assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Lumbar spine bone mineral density was estimated after correction for bone age and the mathematical calculation of volumetric bone mineral density. CONEP: CAAE-0311.0.004.000-06. RESULTS: Lumbar spine bone mineral density was slightly increased in individuals diagnosed with precocious puberty compared with controls; however, after correction for bone age, this tendency disappeared (CD = -0.74 + 0.9 vs. precocious puberty diagnosis = -1.73 + 1.2). The bone mineral density values of girls in the precocious puberty treatment group did not differ from those observed in the CT group. CONCLUSION: There is an increase in bone mineral density in girls diagnosed with idiopathic central precocious puberty. Our data indicate that the increase in bone mineral density in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty is insufficient to compensate for the marked advancement in bone age observed at diagnosis. GnRH agonist treatment seems to have no detrimental effect on bone mineral density.

O valor da doplervelocimetria na avaliação do leiomioma uterino / The role of Doppler velocimetry in the assessment of uterine leiomyoma

Os autores fizeram uma revisão de literatura acerca da análise doplervelocimétrica como ferramenta ultrassonográfica do comportamento biológico da vasculatura uterina e do leiomioma uterino, e procuraram averiguar, por meio de revisão da literatura, se o Doppler poderia diferenciar o leiomioma do leiomiossarcoma e avaliar a resposta ao tratamento clínico com agonistas do GnRH, moduladores seletivos de receptores de progesterona e procedimentos minimamente invasivos destes tumores. Outros tipos de tratamento não foram avaliados. Apesar do restrito número de estudos e da baixa casuística de cada pesquisa isoladamente, observou-se que há uma mudança no índice de resistência dos parâmetros doplervelocimétricos após o tratamento farmacológico e/ou minimamente invasivo do leiomioma uterino; as demais variáveis se comportam de forma variável. Concluiu-se, portanto, que a doplervelocimetria parece não se constituir ainda um parâmetro confiável para diferenciar o leiomioma do leiomiossarcoma e de avaliação de resposta ao tratamento clínico

The authors performed a literature review about Doppler velocimetry as the ultrasonographic tool of the biological behavior from uterine and leiomioma vascularization. They also tried to ascertain through literature review if Doppler could differ between leiomioma to leiomyossarcoma and assess response to clinical treatment with GnRH agonists, selective modulators of progesterone receptors and minimally invasive procedures of these tumors. Other types of treatment were not evaluated. Despite the restrict number of studies and low sampling of each research, there was a change on resistant index from Doppler velocimetry patterns after pharmacological and/or minimally invasive treatment of uterine leiomioma; other indices behaved diversely. Therefore, we concluded that Doppler velocimetry does not constitute a good pattern to differ uterine leiomioma from leiomyossarcoma and of response assessment to clinical treatment

Impact of the National Health Fund policy on hormone treatment for prostate cancer in Jamaica / Repercusión de un subsidio del Fondo Nacional de Salud en la hormonoterapia para el cáncer de próstata en Jamaica

OBJECTIVE: To compare the proportion of patients choosing surgical versus medical castration to treat prostate cancer, before and after the National Health Fund (NHF) of Jamaica began to subsidize hormone therapy. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Jamaica. The pathology database at UHWI was searched to identify patients who had prostate biopsies between January 2000 and December 2007. These were combined with records of biopsies at external institutions. Medical records of all patients with positive prostate biopsies were reviewed to determine if they had received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Patients were classified as having had surgical castration (bilateral orchiectomy) or medical castration. Chi-square statistics were used to determine the difference in proportions between those choosing medical versus surgical castration before and after March 2005, when the NHF began offering subsidies for ADT drugs. RESULTS: Of the 1 529 prostate biopsies performed during the study period, 680 (44.0 percent) cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed. Of these, 458 patients underwent ADT and had complete records available for analysis. The mean patient age was 72 years. During the entire study period, surgical castration was performed in 265 patients (58.0 percent) and medical castration in 193 (42.0 percent). A greater proportion of orchiectomies were performed before March 2005, rather than after (P < 0.001). Estrogens were the most common method of medical castration used before the NHF subsidy became available (62.0 percent); while luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogues (38.0 percent) and antiandrogens (36.5 percent) were most often chosen afterwards. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical castration was more common than medical castration before March 2005. After the NHF began to subsidize the cost of drugs for hormone therapy, medical castration was chosen more often. Increased access to drugs for hormone therapy has changed treatment patterns in Jamaica.

OBJETIVO: Comparar la proporción de pacientes que eligen la castración quirúrgica frente a la castración farmacológica para tratar el cáncer de próstata, antes y después de la creación de un subsidio del Fondo Nacional de Salud (NHF, por sus siglas en inglés) de Jamaica destinado a cubrir los costos de la hormonoterapia. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un examen retrospectivo en el Hospital Universitario de las Indias Occidentales, Jamaica. Se efectuó una búsqueda en la base de datos de enfermedades de dicho hospital para identificar a los pacientes a quienes se les había practicado una biopsia de próstata entre enero del 2000 y diciembre del 2007. Los datos se combinaron con los registros de biopsias llevadas a cabo en instituciones externas. Se estudiaron las historias clínicas de todos los pacientes con resultados positivos en la biopsia de próstata para determinar si habían recibido tratamiento de supresión androgénica. Los pacientes se clasificaron en dos grupos, según se hubieran tratado mediante castración quirúrgica (orquiectomía bilateral) o farmacológica. Se usó la prueba de la ji al cuadrado para determinar la diferencia en las proporciones entre los pacientes que escogieron la castración quirúrgica y los que escogieron la opción farmacológica antes y después de marzo del 2005, la fecha en la que el NHF empezó a subsidiar los medicamentos de supresión androgénica. RESULTADOS: Entre las 1 529 biopsias de próstata realizadas durante el período de estudio, hubo 680 (44,0 por ciento) casos con diagnóstico de cáncer de próstata. De estos, 458 pacientes habían recibido tratamiento de supresión androgénica y se disponía de sus registros completos para el análisis. La edad media de los pacientes fue de 72 años. Durante el período de estudio, se les practicó castración quirúrgica a 265 pacientes (58,0 por ciento) y castración farmacológica a 193 (42,0 por ciento). La proporción de orquiectomías fue mayor antes de marzo del 2005 que después de esa fecha (P < 0,001). Los estrógenos fueron el método de castración farmacológica más común antes de la creación del subsidio del NHF (62,0 por ciento); a partir de ese momento se eligieron con mayor frecuencia los análogos de la hormona liberadora de la hormona luteinizante (38,0 por ciento) y los antiandrógenos (36,5 por ciento). CONCLUSIONES: La castración quirúrgica era más común que la castración farmacológica antes de marzo del 2005. Después de que el NHF empezó a subsidiar el costo de los medicamentos para el tratamiento hormonal, la opción escogida con más frecuencia fue la castración farmacológica. El mayor acceso a los medicamentos usados en la hormonoterapia ha cambiado los patrones de tratamiento del cáncer de próstata en Jamaica.

Protocolo largo con análogos de GnRH versus protocolo corto con antagonistas: ¿existen diferencias en cuanto a los resultados de los ciclos de FIV-ICSI? / Protocol with GnRH analogues vs antagonists of GnRH: exist differences in the results of the IVF-ICSI cycles?

Objetivo: Valorar si existen diferencias en los resultados de los ciclos de FIV-ICSI en función del protocolo de estimulación empleado. Método: Estudio retrospectivo descriptivo de pacientes infértiles que fueron sometidas a ciclos de FIV-ICSI en el Hospital Universitario La Paz, entre los meses de enero y septiembre de 2010, comparando un protocolo largo de estimulación con análogos de GnRH vs un protocolo corto con antagonistas de GnRH. Las variables analizadas fueron: tasa de gestación, necesidad de cancelación del ciclo, dosis total de gonadotropinas requerida durante la estimulación, niveles de estradiol sérico el día de la administración de la hCG, número de folículos puncionados, complejos obtenidos, número de ovocitos maduros y de embriones conseguidos. Resultados: No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los resultados de los ciclos en función del protocolo de estimulación empleado, en ninguna de las variables analizadas. Conclusiones: Este estudio no encontró diferencias en los resultados de los ciclos de FIV-ICSI con relación al uso de análogos o antagonistas de GnRH. Es necesarios más estudios con mayores tamaños muestrales para definir qué tipo de pacientes serían subsidiarias de recibir cada tratamiento para conseguir resultados óptimos.

Aims: To assess if there exist any differences in the results of the IVF-ICSI cycles depending on the stimulation protocol employed. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study of infertile patients who underwent IVF-ICSI cycles at La Paz University Hospital, between January and September 2010, comparing sitmulation protocol with GnRH agonists vs antagonists of GnRH. The variables analyzed were pregnancy rate, cancellation rate, total dose of gonadotropin required for stimulation, serum estradiol levels on the day of hCG administration, number of follicles punctured, complexes obtained, number of mature oocytes and of embryos obtained. Results: No statistically significant differences where found in the results of cycles depending on the protocol of stimulation used in any of the variables analyzed. Conclusions: This study didn't find any difference in the outcome of IVF-ICSI cycles in relation to the use of GnRH agonists or antagonists. We need more studies with larger sample sizes to determine which is the best treatment to each patient in order to achieve optimal results.

Conservative surgical treatment combined with GnRH agonist in symptomatic uterine adenomyosis

To investigate the safety and therapeutic outcomes of conservative surgery combined with GnRH agonist for uterine adenomyosis. Eighteen women with symptomatic uterine adenomyosis were analyzed retrospectively at Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Seoul, Korea, between March 2008 and November 2009. We used the mean numerical rating scale [MRS] for dysmenorrhea and the Mansfield-Voda-Jorgensen menstrual bleeding scale [MVJ] for menorrhagia before and after the treatment. The mean follow-up period was 9.7 months [6-16 months]. The mean surgical time was 92.5 min, the mean estimated blood loss was 238.9 ml, and the mean hospital stay after operation was 3.4 days. The mean decrease of hemoglobin was 2.0 g/dL After combination of surgery and GnRH agonist, the mean MRS of dysmenorrhea decreased significantly from 8.1 to 1.9 [P < 0.001], and the mean MVJ score also decreased from 4.3 to 3.2 [P < 0.05]. This conservative surgery should be considered as a therapeutic option for women with symptomatic adenomyosis who wish to preserve the uterus

Management of adenomyosis in subfertile women and pregnancy outcome

To assess the outcome of treatment with only gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists [Gn-RHa] versus combined conservative surgery and Gn-RHa therapy in the management of sub-fertile patients with symptomatic uterine adenomyosis. A retrospective study of the two treatment modalities allocated to 40 sub-fertile patients with pathology-proven adenomyosis over a period of eight years was undertaken at the Obstetrics and Gynecology department, King Fahad Hospital, Dammam University, Saudi Arabia. Twenty-two patients [Group A] were treated with Gn-RHa alone, and 18 patients [Group B] received combined conservative surgery with Gn-RHa therapy. After completion of six courses of Gn-RHa injections, there was a 3-year follow up period for all patients. Treatment outcome included relief of symptoms, pregnancy rate and successful deliveries, which were compared between the two groups. The patients in group A were younger in age, had lower CA-125 levels and shorter infertile years than Group B. Three [13.6%] spontaneous pregnancies resulted upto 18 months of stopping Gn-RHa in group A, while 8 [44.4%] pregnancies resulted upto 36 months in group B patients, which was statistically significant [p=0.0393]. Term delivery occurred normally in one [4.5%] Group A patient, while 6 [33.3%] patients in Group B had cesarean section at term [p=0.0328]. Combined conservative surgery and Gn-RHa may provide effective symptom relief, better reproductive performance in subfertile patients with uterine adenomyosis and longer period of pregnancy prospects after treatment than patients who recieved Gn-RHa alone. Due to the nature of this study, a well conducted randomized trial is needed in the future to assess the benefits of the two treatment modalities

Ovarian Hyper-Response to Administration of an GnRH-Agonist Without Gonadotropins

Several case reports have indicated that a small subgroup of patients may develop ovarian hyperstimulation following the administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) without gonadotropins. However, since only few such cases have been published, it is unclear what course to follow in subsequent cycles after ovarian hyperstimulation in the first cycle using only GnRHa. A 33-yr-old woman was referred to in vitro fertilization for oocyte donation. A depot preparation (3.75 mg) of tryptorelin without gonadotropins induced ovarian multifollicular enlargement with high estradiol level, and was followed by human chorionic gonadotropin administration and oocyte retrieval. In a subsequent cycle of the same patient, a low dose of tryptorelin (0.05 mg) did not induce ovarian hyperstimulation, and resulted in clinical pregnancy. This report shows potential management of ovarian hyperstimulation following the administration of GnRHa without gonadotropins.