Combined effect of dydrogesterone and letrozole on humoral immune function, sex hormone levels and serology-related indices in patients with endometriosis

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the combined effect of dydrogesterone and letrozole on humoral immunity, and levels of sex hormones and serology-related indices in patients with endometriosis. Methods: Patients with endometriosis (98 cases) were randomly assigned to two groups of 49 patients each: control group and study group. The control group received dydrogesterone (10 mg/kg) orally from the fifth day to the twenty-fifth day of the patient's menstrual cycle, twice daily; while the study group, in addition to dydrogesterone (10 mg/kg), received letrozole (2.5 mg/kg). Treatment in both groups lasted one month, and changes in the levels of humoral immunity, sex hormones and serology-related indices were evaluated before and after treatment. Clinical effectiveness and adverse reactions in both groups were also assessed. Results: After treatment, total effectiveness was markedly higher in the study group (91.84 %) than in control group (77.55 %, p < 0.05). Post-treatment, humoral immunity (IgM, IgG and C3) levels were significantly higher in the study group than in control group (p < 0.05) while estradiol (E2) level in both groups were significantly reduced; however, E2 level was markedly lower in the study group than in control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the combination of dydrogesterone with letrozole alleviates clinical symptoms of endometriosis, improves humoral immune function, and maintains sex hormone levels.