Review Article

Efficacy and safety of Elagolix in the treatment of endometriosis associated pain: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Authors: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Abstract

Background: Endometriosis commonly presents with dysmenorrhea, non-menstrual pelvic pain, and infertility. Elagolix is an oral, short-acting, gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist acting through complete estrogen suppression.

Objective: To evaluate the evidence from published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the efficacy and safety of Elagolix in the treatment of endometriosis associated pain.

Search strategy: Electronic databases containing articles published between January 2000 and February 2020 were searched using the MeSH terms (Elagolix OR gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist OR GnRH antagonist OR antigonadotropin) AND (endometriosis) AND (pelvic pain).

Selection criteria: All RCTs assessing the efficacy of Elagolix in the treatment of pain associated with endometriosis were considered for this network meta-analysis, where five studies were deemed eligible for this review.

Data collection and analysis: The mean difference (MD) and confidence intervals (95% CI) for continuous outcomes including analgesic use, dysmenorrhea, non-menstrual pelvic pain, and quality of life were calculated.

Main results: Elagolix 250 mg reduced dysmenorrhea significantly, as compared to placebo, (MD = -0.41, 95% CI [-0.7, -0.13]) at 12 weeks, while Elagolix 200 mg reduced dysmenorrhea significantly (MD= -1.2, 95% CI [-1.9, -0.57]) compared to placebo after 24 weeks of treatment.

Conclusions: Elagolix 200 mg seems to be an effective drug with fewer side effects when used to reduce dysmenorrhea and non-menstrual pelvic pain after 24 weeks of treatment in patients with endometriosis.

Keywords: Endometriosis, Elagolix, GnRH antagonist, pain, dysmenorrhea

How to Cite: Mattar, O. M. , Namous, L. O. , Ros, M. , Fathi, M. , Elgendy, F. A. , Elghazaly, S. M. , Ibrahim, A. H. , Gadallah, A. , Faraag, E. A. , Sayed, O. , Samy, A. & Abbas, A. M. (2021) “Efficacy and safety of Elagolix in the treatment of endometriosis associated pain: a systematic review and network meta-analysis”, Proceedings in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.17077/2154-4751.1510