Danazol versus oil of evening primrose in the treatment of mastalgia

To evaluate the efficacy of Danazol and Oil of Evening Primrose [OEP] in the treatment of Mastalgia, and to note their undesirable effects during the course of treatment. An open, non-randomized, comparative study, carried out from Nov 2004 to Nov 2005. Department of General Surgery, Surgical Unit-Ill [Ward 26], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. A total of 100 female patients with moderate to severe breast pain who visited the Out-patient Surgical Department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. After clinical evaluation, investigations and informed consent, all patients were assigned to two groups alternatively. Mastalgia in all the patients was gauged before and during the treatment according to the Cardiff Breast pain Score [CBS]. Patients with discrete lumps, nipple discharge, lactation, pregnancy and breast abscess were excluded from the study. Group-I [n = 50] patients were given Danazol 100mg b. i. d per oral and Group-II [n = 50] Efamol [Oil of evening primrose] 500mg b. i. d per oral for three months periods. All patients were seen at 4 and 12 weeks, their level of mastalgia assessed and information sought about adverse effects of the drug. Out of the 100 patients, 70% belong to the age group 15-25 years, 20% to 26-35 years and 10% beyond 35 years of age. The overall response with Danazol was 76% in contrast to 68% response in the patients treated with OEP The patients who were treated with Danazol showed 32% distressing but reversible side effects as compared to 12% in OEP which were not distressing and also reversible. Danazol offers good pain control in mastalgia but with distressing side effects, where as Oil of Evening Primrose [OEP] also showed good pain control but without mtich distressing side effects