Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of Medicated γ-IUD compared with other IUDs for contraception. Methods CBMdisc (1986 -2005), VIP (1989 -2005) , CNKI (1994-2005) , The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2005 ) and 10 related journals were searched for randomized controlled trials (R.CTs) and quasi-randomized controlled trials (quasi-RCTs) on the comparison between γ-IUD and other IUDs. The quality of included trials was critically appraised. RevMan 4.2.8 software was used for statistical analysis. Results Ten published studies with 8 381 participants were included. The results of meta-analysis were expressed with Peto OR ( cumulative pregnancy rate, cumulative expulsion rate, cumulative rate of removing for medical reasons) or OIL ( cumulative continuation rate ) and 95% CI. Compared with MSSR-165, Medicated γ-25,200 resulted in lower pregnancy rate at 1, 2, 3 years of follow-up [ with the OR (95% CI) 0. 31 (0.15,0.64) , 0. 31 (0. 17,0.54) , 0. 31 (0.19,0. 51) , respectively], lower cumulative expulsion rate in5 year follow-up [0.26 (0.17,0.40), 0.28 (0.20,0.41), 0.30 (0.21,0.42), 0.29 (0.19,0.44), 0.32 (0.21, 0. 48 ), respectively], lower cumulative rate of removing for medical reasons.after 4 year follow-up [0.57 (0.36,0. 92 ) ], and higher rate of cunmlative continuation in 5 years of follow-up 13.35 ( 2.29,4.89 ) , 2.76 ( 2.06,3, 69 ) , 2.41 (1.89,3.08), 2.22 (1.69,2.91), 1.99 (1.55,2.55), respectively]. Compared with TCu220, Medicated γ-25,200 resulted in lower cumulative pregnancy rate after follow-up 2, 3 years [ 0.46 (0.25 ,0.87 ) ; 0.48 (0.27,0. 85 ) ], lower cumulative expulsion rate after 1 year follow-up [ 0. 58 (0.35,0.97) ] , lower cumulative rate of being removed for medical reasons in5 year follow-up [0.37 (0.23,0.59), 0.38 (0.26,0.56), 0.45 (0.32,0.64), 0.47 (0.30,0.73), 0.58 (0.39,0.87), respectively ] and higher rate of cumulative continuation in 5 years of follow-up [ 2. 15 ( 1.61,2.87 ), 2.02 ( 1.56,2.63), 1.72 ( 1.34,2.20), 1.44 ( 1.08,1.91 ), 1, 39 ( 1.07,1.80), respectively]. Compared with Uterus-Cu, Medicated γ-25,200 resulted in higher rate of cumulative continuation after follow-up 1 year [ 0.51 (0.34, 0.77) ]. Compared with MLCu375, Medicated γ-25,200 resulted in lower cumulative rate of being removed for medical reasons and higher rate of cumulative continuation after follow-up for 3 years [ 0. 22 (0.09,0.52) , 2.84 ( 1.64,4. 94 )]. Compared with TCu380A, Medicated γ-25, 200 resulted in lower cumulative rate of being removed for medical reasons and higher rate of cumulative continuation in follow-up for 2 years [ 0.36 ( 0.18,0.73 ), 0.29 ( 0. 12,0.70 ) ; 3.06 ( 1.72,5.44), 3.61 (1.75,7.47) ]. Conclusions Available evidence shows that Medicated γ-IUD has better or equal effectiveness when compared with other IUDs. However, more RCTs with high quality and longer follow up period are needed to confirm the conclusion.
Objective To compare and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of 30ug ethinyl estradiol /150ug desogestrel versus 30ug ethinyl estradiol /75ug gestodene. Methods We searched MEDLINE (1990 to 2007), EMBASE (1990 to 2007), POPLINE (1990 to 2007), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Issue 2, 2007), EMBASE (1990 to 2007) and The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2007). Four relevant journals were also hand searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ethinyl estradiol with desogestrel were collected. The quality of the included studies was assessed and data were collected by two reviewers independently. Meta-analyses were performed with The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2.10 software.Results Six studies involving 3,143 patients were included. Meta-analyses found no significant difference in contraceptive effect between 30ug ethinyl estradiol /150ug desogestrel and 30ug ethinyl estradiol /75ug gestodene (Pgt;0.05). During six months of follow-up, patients receiving 30ug ethinyl estradiol /150ug desogestrel had a higher incidence of irregular bleeding (RR 1.50, 95%CI 1.27 to 1.78; Plt;0.00001); and a lower incidence of vomiting (RR 0.18, 95%CI 0.04 to 0.78; P=0.02]; but higher incidences of breast tenderness, nervousness, headache, chloasma, edema, dyspareunia and varicose (RR 1.23 to 2.69; 95%CI 1.02 to 6.37, Plt;0.05). No significant differences were noted in discontinuation between 30ug ethinyl estradiol /150ug desogestrel and 30ug ethinyl estradiol /75ug gestodene. Conclusion Ethinyl estradiol was similar to desogestrel in terms of the contraceptive effect, while the use of desogestrel might be associated with less irregular bleeding and other common adverse events. As the existing data have a high risk of bias, the current evidence is insufficient and further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed.