Abstract
Author(s): Paul Naseef*, Ayman Abou Elnour, Sherif El Mekkawi and Salma Nassar
Aim: The aim of this study is to prove that UA is an effective line of management for uterine fibroids by causing a significant decline in fibroid volumes resulting in a substantial relief of fibroid-related symptoms, and to compare its results with those of uterine artery embolization.
Methods: This study is a randomized control trial that was conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital from March 2019 to March 2021 after approval of the research ethics committee (REC) of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Ain Shams University. It included 70 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids who were randomly assigned into either Ulipristal Acetate (UA) group or uterine artery embolization (UAE) group (35 in each group). Both groups were followed up at 3 and 6 months after starting either treatment options to detect the decline in fibroid size as well as the improvement of symptoms.
Results: UA showed a statistically significant decline in dominant fibroid volume and diameter comparable to UAE at 3 months. Moreover, it had a better durability of effect at 6 months. In addition, there was a statistically significant improvement in fibroid-associated symptoms among both study groups but with a higher durability at 6 months among the patients of the UA group as well.
Conclusion: Our study showed that a 3-month course of UA is very effective in the management of symptomatic uterine fibroids and its results are comparable to UAE.