Idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia: aclimical study of 140 patients

ABSTRACT

Report the findings and experience in the management of 140 patient with idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia treated at the King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, and the effect of the treatment with bromocriptine on the restoration of normal menstrual pattern and fertility. Method: The study was conducted over a period of five years in 140 patients with idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia who were investigated and treated at the Endocrinological, Infertility and Gynaecological Clinics at the King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar between January 1988 and December 1992. The initial serum prolactin levels ranged from 28.5 to 224 ng/ml, with a mean of 62 ng/ml. Among the 140 patients with idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia, 102 patients were complaining of infertility. All the patients in the study were treated with bromocriptine to normalise serum prolactin or to achieve pregnancy. Result: Out of the 102 infertile patients, 82 [80.3%] achieved pregnancy with bromocriptine therapy alone, and the remaining 20 patients received additional treatment with clomiphene and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophine for induction of ovulation. A total of 88 [86.2%] patients achieved pregnancy, 76 had full term pregnancy and 12 ended with abortion. There was no significant difference in the pregnancy rate, between the patients with initial low serum prolactin levels and those with high levels. Similarly, the presence of galactorrhea did not influence the pregnancy rate. No lethal congenital foetal abnormalities were observed in the patients. Bromocriptine therapy in the treatment of hyperprolactinaemia is safe and effective resulting in high pregnancy rate and resumption of normal menstrual pattern