Onset Of Endometriosis Research Articles

Peritoneal Vascular Density Assessment Using Narrow-Band Imaging and Vascular Analysis Software, and Cytokine Analysis in Women With and Without Endometriosis

The development and onset of endometriosis is associated with angiogenesis and angiogenic factors including cytokines. We analyzed intrapelvic conditions in women with endometriosis via vascular density assessment of grossly normal peritoneum and determination of cytokine levels in peritoneal fluid. Seventy-three patients underwent laparoscopic surgery because of gynecologic disease including endometriosis in our department using a narrow-band imaging system. Each patient was analyzed for peritoneal vascular density using commercially available vascular analysis software (SolemioENDO ProStudy; Olympus Corp, Tokyo, Japan). Each patient was also subjected to analysis of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, and vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in peritoneal fluid. We defined 4 groups as follows: group 1, endometriosis: gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist administration group (n = 27); group 2, endometriosis: GnRH agonist nonadministration group (n = 15); group 3, no endometriosis: GnRH agonist administration group (n = 18); and group 4, no endometriosis: GnRH agonist nonadministration group (n = 13). No significant differences in peritoneal vascular density between the 4 groups were found under conventional light; however, under narrow-band light, vascular density in the endometriosis groups (groups 1 and 2) was significantly higher. Cytokine analysis of the 4 groups determined that IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations were significantly higher compared with the no endometriosis groups (groups 3 and 4). Tumor necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations were not significantly different between groups. In endometriosis, peritoneal vascular density was significantly higher as assessed using the narrow-band imaging system and SolemioENDO ProStudy, whereas GnRH agonist did not obviously decrease vascular density but IL-6 concentration was lower in the GnRH agonist administration group.

Increased rate of endometriosis and spontaneous abortion in an in vitro fertilization program: No correlation with epidemiological factors

Background. There are conflicting data concerning endometriosis and spontaneous abortion (SAB). The aim of the present study was to evaluate if there was any association between endometriosis and SAB. Moreover, we investigated risk factors in women with endometriosis and SAB.Methods. The medical files of 457 married women with endometriosis and 200 infertile women without endometriosis were studied retrospectively. All cases were diagnosed by laparoscopy. Data concerning demographic variables and menstrual characteristics were recorded from 226 women with endometriosis, which were divided into two groups. Group 1 included 126 cases with endometriosis and SAB, and Group 2 comprised 100 parous women with endometriosis and without SAB. Statistical comparisons between groups were made using the χ2 test and odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results. The proportion of SAB was significantly higher in women with endometriosis than in infertile women without endometriosis (126/457 (27.6%) vs. 36/200 (18.0% ); OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 = 2.6; p = 0.01). The frequency of nulligravid women was significantly higher in women with endometriosis than in the control group (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.4 – 2.81; p = 0.001). Mean age, age at onset of endometriosis, race, height, weight, body mass index, medical history of allergies, and family histories of endometriosis and cancer were similar in women with endometriosis and SAB and in parous women with endometriosis but without SAB. Moreover, the two groups were similar in age at menarche, length of cycle, duration and amount of flow, and the severity of disease. The incidence of infertility was significantly higher in women with SAB (p < 0.001).Conclusion. These data suggest but do not prove that the risk of SAB is increased in women with endometriosis. The epidemiological risk factors of endometriosis are not associated with an increase in the abortion rate.

Environmental dioxin compounds as the cause of endometriosis and other diseases

There has been much debate of late about whether or not dioxin, an industrial toxin, could be a causative agent in the onset of endometriosis, a gynaecological disease associated with infertility and pain. Studies found either no difference in serum dioxin concentrations when cases were compared to controls or a non-significant increase, or reached low statistical power. The introductory results on Rhesus monkey contradict with the observations on mice fed with dioxin and oestrogen simultaneously. Genetic comparison shows that human belongs to the dioxin resistant races so dioxin concentrations measured in the population could not cause disease especially not an oestrogen dependent one, like endometriosis.

Laparoscopic evaluation of the onset and progression of endometriosis

Objective: To clarify the pathogenesis of endometriosis on the basis of analysis of primary lesion sites, age at onset, rate of progression, and response to drug treatment. Study Design: The clinical records of 690 women with laparoscopically confirmed endometriosis were retrospectively analyzed based on the revised American Fertility Society point system. Results: The primary site of endometriosis was the uterosacral ligament and pelvic peritoneum/pouch of Douglas in 73% of patients with stage I disease, whereas only 16% had ovarian lesions. However, disease progression was associated with an increasing frequency of ovarian lesions. In terms of the revised American Fertility Society score, endometriosis progressed at a mean rate of 0.3 point per month. Thus the earliest onset of endometriosis was estimated at 3 to 4 years after menarche. Drug therapy improved the revised American Fertility Society score by about 50%. Patients with a low response to an initial cycle of therapy generally showed further improvement after an additional treatment cycle. Conclusions: Because endometriosis may occur as early as 3 to 4 years after menarche and gradually progresses, drug therapy, including long-term treatment, should be carried out in women with definitive evidence of endometriosis who must maintain their reproductive potential.