Object: To evaluate the efficacy of dydrogesterone for the treatment of premenopausal patients with endometrial polyps (EPs).
Methods: A single-center, open-label, prospective, single-arm clinical treatment trial was conducted in patients of reproductive age with EP(s). Patients were prescribed dydrogesterone from day 15 to day 24 of the menstrual cycle over a period of 3 months. At the 3-month follow-up, the efficacy of dydrogesterone was evaluated based on changes in self-report symptoms and ultrasonographic characteristics. The predictive factors of efficacy as well as the predictive value of the significant factors were also assessed.
Results: A total of 60 patients were included. Improvements in both symptoms and ultrasound findings occurred in 31 patients, achieving an efficacy rate of 51.67%. Of 41 patients with clinical presentations, 39 (95.1%) reported improvements in symptoms. In terms of ultrasound findings, 33 (55%) of patients demonstrated improvements. Significant decreases were observed in the mean endometrial thickness (1.17 ± 0.33 cm vs 0.90 ± 0.35 cm, p < .001) and polyp size (1.10 ± 0.34 cm vs 0.74 ± 0.65 cm, p = .001) after the application of dydrogesterone. Age (p = .006), polyp size (p = .006), and blood flow within polyps (p = .035) were significant predictors of dydrogesterone efficacy. These factors, when combined, demonstrated a good predictive value ([area under the curve (AUC)=0.81]).
Conclusion: Dydrogesterone is effective in the management of EPs in premenopausal patients. Age, polyp size and blood flow should be taken into consideration when prescribing dydrogesterone for this population of women.
Keywords: Endometrial polyps; dydrogesterone; efficacy; predictive factors.