Real-world utilization pattern of dydrogesterone in 7287 Indian women with obstetric and gynecological conditions: data from multicentric, retrospective study

Progesterone has an important place in the management of obstetric and gynecological conditions. ( 1 - 3 ) Progesterone can be given orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intravaginally and through rectal routes. ( 4 ) Of these, oral route is most convenient for patients. ( 4 ) However, oral micronized progesterone has limited use in clinical practice because it undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism and therefore has relatively low bioavailability. ( 4 ) Dydrogesterone is a stereoisomer of progesterone that is pharmacologically close to endogenous progesterone. ( 1 , 5 ) It has high oral bioavailability, is more specific for progesterone receptors than micronized progesterone, and therefore a 10–20 times lower oral dose than micronized progesterone is required to exert the pharmacological action. ( 1 , 4 , 5 ) The androgenic, glucocorticoid, mineralcorticoid or estrogenic side-effects of dydrogesterone are significantly less compared with micronized progesterone. ( 1 , 6 ) Dydrogesterone has been in use for over 60 years, and has demonstrated a favorable efficacy, safety and tolerability profile across multiple obstetric and gynecological indications. ( 1 , 7 - 9 ) Dydrogesterone has been efficiently used for progesterone-deficient obstetrical conditions such as threatened abortion, recurrent pregnancy loss, infertility due to luteal phase deficit, and gynecological conditions such as endometriosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, secondary amenorrhea, irregular menstrual cycles and premenstrual syndrome. ( 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 - 19 ) Dydrogesterone is the most commonly prescribed progesterone during pregnancy and for threatened abortion. ( 9 , 20 ) Oral dydrogesterone carries the least risk of miscarriage while treating threatened abortion and recurrent pregnancy loss as compared to other progesterone. ( 7 , 13 ) It has been found to be as effective as micronized progesterone for luteal phase support during in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles and for treating threatened miscarriages due to corpus luteum insufficiency. ( 10 - 12 ) The use of dydrogesterone has been correlated with higher pregnancy rate and live birth rate than with micronized progesterone in patients requiring luteal phase support during IVF. ( 4 ) Despite the extensive literature on dydrogesterone, studies on dydrogesterone utilization patterns are largely lacking in Indian patients. Therefore, the present study was conducted with objective of assessing the dydrogesterone utilization patterns in various obstetric and gynecological conditions in Indian women at real life scenario. The study also aimed to identify the frequencies of risk factors and co-morbidities in patients receiving dydrogesterone and the concomitant medications.

This was a multi-center, retrospective, observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive study conducted across 817 centers spanning major urban and rural regions of India. A case report form (CRF) was designed prior to the study and shared with the Obstetricians and Gynecologists across India. Each center was given 10 CRFs. data was filled from the medical records of women ≥ 18 years of age who received dydrogesterone in the past as their standard of care (SOC) for any obstetric or gynecologic condition. The study subjects received oral dydrogesterone in a dosage considered appropriate by their physician for that condition. The locally approved prescribing information for dydrogesterone is provided in chart 1 . ( 21 ) Continuous sequential therapy: An estrogen is dosed continuously and one tablet of 10 mg dydrogesterone is added for the last 14 days of every 28 day cycle, in a sequential manner. Cyclic therapy: When an estrogen is dosed cyclically with a treatment-free interval, usually 21 days on and 7 days off. One tablet of 10 mg dydrogesterone is added for the last 12 -14 days of estrogen therapy. Depending on the clinical response, the dosage can subsequently be adjusted to 20 mg dydrogesterone per day. The following data was retrieved from medical records and filled in the CRFs: demographic details, comorbidities, risk factors, indication, dose, dosing frequency, regimen and duration of treatment of dydrogesterone in various obstetric and gynecological conditions and concomitant treatment used along with the dydrogesterone. All the data from the 817 centers was received at a central facility of the Sponsor, checked for inconsistencies, and entered in Microsoft Excel sheet. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Categorical data was represented as frequencies and percentages, while quantitative data was described as mean ± standard deviation (SD) or median with interquartile range (IQR) as appropriate. Given the retrospective nature of the study, informed constent could not be taken from the patients whose data was collected from the medical records. However, the study was conducted according to the Principles of Helsinki. Further, this study was approved by the Deccan Independent Ethics Committee.

Data of 7287 subjects (aged 29.55±4.84 years) who had received dydrogesterone as part of their SOC were included in the study; Demographic details of the subjects, and their obstetric history are captured in ( Table 1 ). Of the subjects, 83.3% were pregnant. A total of 73.8% of subjects had a previous pregnancy loss, and 43.2% of these had experienced early pregnancy bleeding during the previous miscarriage. Other causes of previous pregnancy loss are depicted in ( Figure 1 ). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid disorders were the most common comorbid conditions identified in 23% and 21% of subjects, respectively. Other comorbid conditions identified ( Table 2 ) were anemia and hypertension in 19.9% and 13.3% of subjects, respectively. PCOS (24.7% and 21%), thyroid disorders (24.7% and 24%) and anemia (19.9% and 25%) were the most common comorbid conditions seen in subjects who received dydrogesterone for threatened abortion and recurrent pregnancy loss, respectively. PCOS was the most common comorbid condition in subjects with threatened abortion and anemia was the most common comorbid conditions in subjects with recurrent pregnancy loss. Other comorbid conditions seen in subjects with these two conditions are depicted in ( Figure 2 ). Prior pregnancy loss was the most common risk factor identified in 27.2% of subjects who received dydrogesterone. Other risk factors identified ( Table 2 ) were advanced maternal age (19.2%) and obesity (16.2%). Prior pregnancy loss (27.4% and 44.2%), advanced maternal age (20.7% and 19.8%) and obesity (15.5% and 19.7%) were the most common risk factors seen in subjects who received dydrogesterone for threatened abortion and recurrent pregnancy loss, respectively. Other risk factors seen in subjects with these two conditions are depicted in ( Figure 3 ). Dydrogesterone was most commonly prescribed for obstretrical conditions. Threatened abortion was the most common indication for which the subjects received dydrogesterone (46.9%) followed by recurrent pregnancy loss (27.3%). Dydrohesterone was also prescribed for several gynecological conditions. The most common gynecological condition for which subjects received dydrogesterone was infertility due to luteal phase insufficiency. Other gynecological indications for which the subjects received dydrogesterone are mentioned in ( Table 3 ). Slightly more than one quarter of the subjects (27.5%) received a loading dose of dydrogesterone (n=2007/7287). Of the subjects who received a loading dose, majority (64%) received 40 mg as loading dose ( Table 3 ). The proportion of patients who received dydrogesterone loading dose for different indications are depicted in ( Figure 4 ). Threatened abortion was the most common indication for which a loading dose was used. Most of the subjects (81.4%) received a 10 mg across indications either as maintenance dose or a regular dose ( Table 3 ). Twice daily (BID) was the most common dosing frequency (66.6%). The most common concomitant medications being taken by the subjects on along with dydrogesterone included folic acid (45.1%), iron supplements (30.3%) and calcium and vitamin D3 supplements (25.5%). Concomitant medications received by the subjects are captured in ( Table 4 ). Another progesterone preparation (oral, injection, vaginal) other than dydrogesterone was used in 7.8% of subjects.

Progesterone plays a significant role in the maintenance of a normal menstrual cycle and healthy pregnancy and management of threatened abortion, recurrent pregnancy loss (sequential loss of ≥3 pre-viable pregnancies) ( 22 ) and many other obstetrical and gynecological conditions. ( 4 , 23 ) Progesterone is a key management strategy for providing luteal support during IVF and assisted reproductive technology (ART). ( 4 ) Progesterone can be administered through several routes such as oral, intramuscular and vaginal. ( 4 ) Micronized vaginal progesterone (MVP) capsules can be self-administered, and this is a commonly prescribed, effective and safe method of administering progesterone. However, MVP can cause discomfort due to vaginal irritation and discharge, and may not be culturally acceptable by some women. ( 4 ) Oral route of drug administration is the most convenient route for patients. ( 4 ) Oral progesterone can be prescribed as micronized progesterone and as dydrogesterone. The Lotus I and II trials showed that oral dydrogesterone can be an effective and safe option to MYP. ( 4 , 24 ) On the other hand, oral micronized progesterone has limited use in clinical practice because it undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism and therefore has low bioavailability. ( 4 ) Further, literaure shows that compared to other progesterones, oral micronized progesterone use was associated with the highest risk of miscarriage. ( 13 ) A large cross-sectional study from China (N= 91,464) assessing drug utilization patterns in patients with threatened abortion noted that dydrogesterone prescription rates increased over time from 2014 to 2020 while those of other progesterone preparations decreased over time. ( 20 ) Dydrogesterone has become the preferred treatment option in progesterone-deficient obstetric and gynecological conditions due to ease of administering an oral dose, similar or better efficacy and tolerability than micronized progesterone, lower dose due to high bioavailability, and improved outcomes in infertility, threatened abortion and recurrent pregnancy loss. ( 1 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 10 - 13 ) Dydrogesterone has been in use for over 60 years with proven efficacy, safety and tolerability profile across multiple obstetrical and gynecological indications. ( 1 , 7 ) Many large studies with threatened abortion (drug utilization study; China; N= 91,464), recurrent pregnancy loss (systematic review; N=509), for luteal support in IVF (dydrogesterone twice daily vs. micronized vaginal progesterone gel vs. oral micronized capsules; India; N=1,373) or ART (dydrogesterone plus micronized vaginal progesterone gel vs. placebo plus micronized vaginal progesterone gel; India; N=498) show that dydrogesterone is the most commonly used and effective and safe progesterone in these indications. ( 7 , 9 , 20 , 25 , 26 ) However, there are no studies on the utilization pattern of dydrogesterone across various obstetric and gynecological conditions in Indian population. This is a large Indian study, that to best of our knowledge, shows the dydrogesterone utilization patterns in 7287 subjects who routinely received dydrogesterone as part of the SOC for their obstetric or gynecological conditions. This study reported that threatened abortion and recurrent pregnancy loss were the most common indications for which dydrogesterone was used, followed by recurrent pregnancy loss, infertility due to luteal phase insufficiency and luteal phase support as a part of ART. However, there was great variation in the use of the loading dose, dydrogesterone dosage, dosing frequency, regimen, and duration of dydrogesterone across indications. The study showed that prior pregnancy loss (27.2%), advanced maternal age (19.2) and obesity (16.2%) were the most common risk factors observed in patients who received dydrogesterone. These are also the most common risk factors identified for threatened and recurrent pregnancy loss, which were the most common indications for which subjects received dydrogesterone in this study. ( 27 ) It is important to note that all other risk factors identified (family history, advanced paternal age, associated medical condition, alcohol consumption, defects in the uterine and fallopian tube and smoking) have been associated with any kind of abortion ( 27 ) and infertility, ( 28 ) the two major indications for prescribing dydrogesterone. Most of the subjects in this study had a pregnancy complicated by threatened abortion or recurrent pregnancy loss or needed luteal phase support for ART/continuation of pregnancy. In this subject population, PCOS, thyroid disorder, anemia and hypertension were the most commonly observed comorbidities in the subjects of this study. Similar complications were also noted by a large birth cohort study, which reported maternal hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, obesity, asthma, and tobacco use as the most common comorbidities in women prior to and during pregnancy. ( 29 ) A loading dydrogesterone dose of 40 mg is usually given for threatened abortion. ( 21 ) However, almost half the subjects (48%) with threatened abortion did not receive a loading dose as per the local prescribing information ( Chart 1 ). ( 21 ) Similarly, though 40 mg was the most prescribed loading dose (64%), lower loading doses of 20 mg and 30 mg were also used in 19.3% and 15.8% of cases, respectively. Also, loading dose was used for conditions not requiring it as per the local prescribing information such as recurrent pregnancy loss (24%) and infertility due to luteal phase insufficiency (12%). As per the local prescribing information, dydrogesterone maintenance dose of 20 or 30 mg per day should be prescribed for threatened abortion, while 10 mg to 20 mg should be used across indications that do not require a loading dose ( Chart 1 ). However, this study showed that majority of subjects (81.4%) across indications were on 10 mg dose, used as a maintenance or as continuous/cyclic dose without a loading dose. However, since BID was the most common dosing frequency (66.6%), many patients on 10 mg dose received 20 mg daily, which is in line with the prescribing information. The study showed that continuous dosing was prescribed in most cases (77.6%). However, dydrogesterone should be prescribed in cyclic dosing for most indications ( Chart 1 ) except in endometriosis and dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) and as continuous sequential therapy with estrogen in hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The most common concomitant medications being taken by the subjects on dydrogesterone in this study included folic acid (45.1%), iron supplements (30.3%) and calcium and vitamin D3 supplements (25.5%). This is the first study elaborating the concomitant medication used in different obstetrical and gynecological conditions in Indian women who received dydrogesterone. This study also showed that 7.8% of patients were prescribed multiple progesterone preparations across indications. The cross-sectional study from China too reported that 12% of patients used multiple progesterone preparations for threatened abortion. Of these, dydrogesterone combinations with injectable and oral progesterones were used by 5.6% and 1.1% of patients, respectively. Combination of oral dydrogesterone with another progesterone for luteal support during ART has been found to reduce miscarriage and improve live birth rate. ( 30 , 31 ) The study is limited by its retrospective design and the fact that the accuracy of the data collected depended on the physicians. Further, the study had no control on the indications for which dydrogesterone was prescribed or its dose. In-depth analysis by risk factors, comorbid conditions and concomitant medications used was not performed at the time of writing this manuscript. Also, the frequency of risk factors and comorbid conditions identified are for patients who received dydrogesterone as their SOC. Therefore, the frequency and types of risk factors and comorbid conditions identified cannot be generalized. However, to the best of our knowledge this is the largest (N=7287) and only study assessing the utilization pattern of dydrogesterone in India. The study covered the indications, risk factors, comorbid conditions and concomitant medication used in patients receiving dydrogesterone. The initial analysis showed the utilization practices of dydrogesterone by indication, dose, dosing frequency and regime. Thus, a clear picture of the patient population that usually receives dydrogesterone emerged and could be useful for the physicians for selecting the right patient for dydrogesterone. The study also helped assess the variations in dydrogesterone utilization and thus helped identify knowledge gaps in drug utilization practices of dydrogesterone.

The study helped to gain a better understanding of the Indian patient population receiving dydrogesterone in terms of the common clinical indications, frequently prevalent risk factors and comorbid conditions, and the common concomitant medications used in this patient population at real-life scenario.