Nutraceuticals in fibroid management after ulipristal acetate administration: An observational study on patients’ compliance

Abstract

Objective: On May 13, 2020, the Italian government Pharmaceutical Agency (AIFA) stopped ulipristal acetate (UPA) treatments for uterine fibroids (UFs), so patients shifted to other natural treatments. The authors tested the patients’ compliance with UF natural treatments. Methods: Thirty patients of reproductive age (30–45 years) affected by UFs stopped UPA intake and started epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) plus vitamin D3 treatment. Patients were asked to complete the Uterine Fibroid symptoms and Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) questionnaire, divided into symptoms severity (SS) and health-related quality of life (HRQL), after UPA suspension and to repeat it after 3 months of natural treatment. Collected data were analyzed using paired Student's t test, considering a P value less than 0.05 to be significant. Results: The SS score was significantly lower (–12.19%) for natural treatment when compared with UPA administration. The HRQL score significantly improved (+11.79%) after shifting treatment from UPA to natural therapy. All the investigated parameters appeared improved by 10% after the natural treatment. No adverse effects were reported following the natural treatment. Conclusion: Natural treatments showed positive compliance in patients with UFs, based on HRQL score, representing an alternative therapeutic opportunity for patients forced to stop UPA therapy.