Endometrial biopsy and density of nerve fibers in eutopic endometrium. Looking for easier ways to diagnose endometriosis

Abstract

The purpose of study was to evaluate if there is any difference between nerve fibers density in eutopic endometrium in women with and without endometriosis. The prospective case – control study conducted between October 2013 and December 2015. The study included 60 reproductive age women undergoing laparoscopy for suspected endometriosis, pelvic pain, or infertility and not currently receiving hormonal treatment for at least 3 months prior to laparoscopy. Immunohistochemical nerve fiber detection in endometrial curetting using anti-gene product 9.5 was compared with surgical diagnosis. The nerve fibers were detected in eutopic endometrium in women with and without endometriosis. PGP9.5 positive nerve fibers were found in 26 (43%) cases: 16 (50%) in women with endometriosis and 10 (36%) in women without endometriosis. The mean nerve fiber density was higher in the group with endometriosis (0.53 per mm2 ± 0.68) than without endometriosis (0.48 per mm2 ± 0.89), but no statistically significant difference was observed (p > .05). Test specificity was 64.3%, sensitivity 50%, positive predictive value – 61.5%, negative predictive value – 52.9%, and overall accuracy 56.7%. The detection of PGP9.5 positive nerve fibers in eutopic endometrium cannot be used as a reliable diagnostic test of diagnosing endometriosis.