Barros Alfredo Carlos S. D., Mottola Juvenal, Ruiz Carlos Alberto, Borges Marcus N., Pinotti José Aristodemo
Reference Center for Woman's Health, São Paulo, Brazil.
Breast J. 1999 May;5(3):162-165. doi: 10.1046/j.1524-4741.1999.98089.x.
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the results of the application of a nonpharmacologic treatment based on explanations and reassurance to women with mastalgia. A total of 121 women were studied. They received reassurance and underwent follow up with a questionnaire 2-3 months later. An original methodology to evaluate the efficiency of mastalgia treatment was employed, which consisted of comparing pain parameters of the patients before and after treatment. The authors verified a success rate of 70.2% (n = 85) with reassurance. When evaluating the intensity of the symptom, reassurance was effective in 85.7% of the patients with a mild form of mastalgia, in 70.8% with a moderate form, and in 52.3% with a severe form. It was concluded that reassurance should be the first-line treatment for women with mastalgia. Drug prescriptions are indicated only in patients refractory to this form of management.