Bone Density in Adolescents Treated with a GnRH Agonist and Add-Back Therapy for Endometriosis

Abstract 

Study Objective

To evaluate the bone density of adolescents with endometriosis treated with a GnRH-agonist and “add-back” therapy with norethindrone acetate.

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Pediatric gynecology clinic at a tertiary care center.

Participants

36 adolescents, ages 13 to 21 years, with endometriosis.

Main Outcome Measures

Bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm²) by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA); BMD Z-scores of hip and spine.

Results

The mean BMD Z-score at the total hip was −0.24 ± 1.0, with a range of −2.4 to 1.7. At this site, 6 subjects had a BMD Z-score between −1.0 and −2.0 SD, while 2 had a Z-score ≤ −2.0 SD. The mean BMD Z-score at the lumbar spine was 0.55 ± 1.1, with a range of −2.8 to 1.4. At the spine, 11 subjects had a BMD Z-score between −1.0 and −2.0 SD, while 3 had a Z-score ≤ −2.0 SD. There was no correlation noted between duration of therapy with the GnRH-agonist plus add-back and BMD at the hip or spine.

Conclusion

BMD at the hip was normal in most adolescents with endometriosis who were receiving a GnRH-agonist plus add-back therapy with norethindrone acetate. Almost one third of subjects exhibited skeletal deficits at the spine. These data suggest that BMD should be carefully monitored in adolescents receiving treatment with GnRH agonists.

Key Words: Bone mineral density, GnRH-agonist, Add-back therapy, Norethindrone acetate, Endometriosis, Adolescence