Efficacy and Safety of Elinzanetant in Vasomotor Symptoms Associated With Menopause: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials [ID 1092]

INTRODUCTION: Neurokinin (NK) receptor antagonists stand out as promising alternatives to hormone replacement therapy in treating vasomotor symptoms (VMS) associated with menopause. However, the efficacy and safety of elinzanetant, a dual NK-1 and NK-3 receptor antagonist, remain unclear. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for randomized clinical trials comparing elinzanetant and placebo in patients with VMS associated with menopause. Statistical analyses were performed using R Studio 4.3.2. Mean difference (MD) and risk ratio (RR) with 95% CIs were pooled across trials. Outcomes of interest were as follows: frequency and intensity of VMS, quality of life (QoL), and sleep disturbance. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included three RCTs reporting data on 995 patients (551 elinzanetant versus 444 placebo). Mean age ranged from 54.4 to 55.6 years. The combined analysis showed that elinzanetant reduced the frequency (MD −3.09; 95% CI, −4.18 to −2.01; I 2 =0%) and intensity (MD −0.32; 95% CI, −0.45 to −0.21; I 2 =39%) of VMS. The drug was associated with better QoL, as evidenced by a reduction in the menopause-specific QoL questionnaire score (MD −0.46; 95% CI, −0.63 to −0.30; I 2 =35%) and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Sleep Disturbance Short Form 8b (MD −4.65; 95% CI, −5.56 to −3.73; I 2 =0). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: In patients with VMS associated with menopause, elinzanetant reduced VMS frequency and intensity. Furthermore, the drug promotes improvements in measures of sleep and quality of life.