Table 1 Characteristics of the study included in the systematic review
From: Use of aromatase inhibitors to treat endometriosis-related pain symptoms: a systematic review
Authors | Year | Study design | Number of subjects | Age of the patients (years) | Diagnostic modality | Characteristics of endometriosis | Intervention: aromatase inhibitor | Intervention: other hormonal therapies | Intervention: non-hormonal therapies | Post-operative treatment | Length of treatment | Criteria for pain evaluation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ailawadi et al. [38] | 2004 | Prospective non-comparative trial | 10 | 29.9 (22-45)a | histology | ASRM stageb: stage 1, n = 1 stage 2, n = 1 stage 3, n = 3 stage 4, n = 6 | oral: letrozole 2.5 mg/day | oral: norethisterone acetate 2.5 mg/day | oral: elemental calcium 1250 mg/day, vitamin D 800 I.U./day | no | 6 months | VAS |
Soysal et al. [39] | 2004 | Randomised controlled trial | 40 | 31.3 ± 5.7b | surgery | ASRM stageb: stage 4, n = 40 | oral: anastrozole 1 mg/day | subcutaneous: goserelin 3.6 mg/4 weeks | oral: elemental calcium 1200 mg/day, vitamin D 800 I.U./day | yes | 6 months | TPSS |
Amsterdam et al. [40] | 2005 | Prospective non-comparative trial | 18 | 23-46c | surgery | NA | oral: anastrozole 1 mg/day | oral: ethinyl estradiol 20 μg/day, levonorgestrel 0.1 mg/day | none | no | 6 months | VAS |
Hefler et al. [41] | 2005 | Prospective non-comparative trial | 10 | 31.2 ± 4.3b | histology | rectovaginal endometriosis | vaginal: anastrozole 0.25 mg/day | none | oral: elemental calcium 1200 mg/day, vitamin D 800 I.U./day | no | 6 months | VAS |
Remorgida et al. [42] | 2007 | Prospective non-comparative trial | 12 | 32.8 ± 3.2b | surgery, US, MRI | ASRM stageb: stage 4, n = 12 | oral: letrozole 2.5 mg/day | oral: desogestrel 75 μg/day | oral: elemental calcium 1000 mg/day, vitamin D 880 I.U./day | no | 6 months | VAS |
Remorgida et al. [43] | 2007 | Prospective non-comparative trial | 12 | 32.3 ± 3.8b | histology, US, MRI | rectovaginal endometriosis | oral: letrozole 2.5 mg/day | oral: norethisterone acetate 2.5 mg/day | oral: elemental calcium 1000 mg/day, vitamin D 880 I.U./day | no | 6 months | VAS |
Ferrero et al. [44] | 2009 | Prospective patient preference trial | 41 | 31.2 ± 4.6b | histology, US | rectovaginal endometriosis | oral: letrozole 2.5 mg/day | oral: norethisterone acetate 2.5 mg/day | oral: elemental calcium 1000 mg/day, vitamin D 880 I.U./day | no | 6 months | VAS |
Roghaei et al. [45] | 2010 | Randomised controlled trial | 38 | 32.3 ± 6.0b | surgery | NA | oral: letrozole 2.5 mg/day | none | oral: elemental calcium 1000 mg/day, vitamin D 880 I.U./day | yes | 6 months | 11-item scale |
Alborzi et al. [46] | in press | Randomised controlled trial | 47 | 29.2 ± 5.3b | histology | ASRM stageb: stage 1-2, n = 24 stage 3-4, n = 23 | oral: letrozole 2.5 mg/day | none | none | yes | 2 months | VAS |
Ferrero et al. [47] | in press | Randomised controlled trial | 35 | 35.1 ± 3.8b | surgery, US | rectovaginal endometriosis | oral: letrozole 2.5 mg/day | oral norethisterone acetate 2.5 mg/day (n = 17) or intramuscular triptorelin 11.25 mg/3 months (n = 18) | oral: elemental calcium 1000 mg/day, vitamin D 880 I.U./day | no | 6 months | VAS and VRS |