Endometriosis Archives - Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2018;40(3):147-155
Endometriosis can have several different presentations, including overt ascites and peritonitis; increased awareness can improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. We aimto provide a systematic review and report a case of endometriosis with this unusual clinical presentation. The PubMed/MEDLINE database was systematically reviewed until October 2016. Women with histologically-proven endometriosis presenting with clinically significant ascites and/or frozen abdomen and/or encapsulating peritonitis were included; thosewith potentially confounding conditionswere excluded.Our search yielded 37 articles describing 42 women, all of reproductive age. Ascites was mostly hemorrhagic, recurrent and not predicted by cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) levels. In turn, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and infertility were not consistently reported. The treatment choices and outcomes were different across the studies, and are described in detail. Endometriosis should be a differential diagnosis of massive hemorrhagic ascites in women of reproductive age.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2018;40(3):147-155
Endometriosis can have several different presentations, including overt ascites and peritonitis; increased awareness can improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. We aimto provide a systematic review and report a case of endometriosis with this unusual clinical presentation. The PubMed/MEDLINE database was systematically reviewed until October 2016. Women with histologically-proven endometriosis presenting with clinically significant ascites and/or frozen abdomen and/or encapsulating peritonitis were included; thosewith potentially confounding conditionswere excluded.Our search yielded 37 articles describing 42 women, all of reproductive age. Ascites was mostly hemorrhagic, recurrent and not predicted by cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) levels. In turn, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and infertility were not consistently reported. The treatment choices and outcomes were different across the studies, and are described in detail. Endometriosis should be a differential diagnosis of massive hemorrhagic ascites in women of reproductive age.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2018;40(3):115-120
To evaluate the quality of the sexual function of women with suspected deep infiltrating endometriosis.
A cross-sectional, observational and prospective study was conducted between May 2015 and August 2016, in which 67 patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis, suspected or diagnosed, were assessed for epidemiological and clinical characteristics, such as pain level through a visual analog scale (VAS), features of deep infiltrating endometriosis lesions and score on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) before the onset of treatment. The statistical analysis was performed using the software STATA version 12.0 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX, USA) to compare the variables through multiple regression analysis.
The average age of the patients was 39.2 years old; most patients were symptomatic (92.5%); and the predominant location of the deep infiltrating lesions was on the rectosigmoid colon (50%), closely followed by the retrocervical region (48.3%). The medianoverallscoreontheFSFIwas23.4;in67.2%of thecasesthescorewas26.5(cutoff point for sexualdysfunction). Deepdyspareunia(p = 0.000,confidenceinterval [CI]:0.64- 0.83) and rectosigmoid endometriosis lesions (p = 0.008, CI: 0.72-0.95) showed significant correlation with lower FSFI scores, adjusted by bladder lesion, patients’ ageand size of lesions. Deep dyspareunia (p = 0.003, CI: 0.49-0.86) also exhibited significant correlation with FSFI pain domain, adjusted by cyclic bowel pain, vaginal lesion and use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog. These results reflect the influence of deep dyspareunia on the sexual dysfunction of the analyzed population.
Most patients exhibited sexual dysfunction, and deep dyspareunia was the pelvic painful symptom that showed correlation with sexual dysfunction.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2018;40(3):115-120
To evaluate the quality of the sexual function of women with suspected deep infiltrating endometriosis.
A cross-sectional, observational and prospective study was conducted between May 2015 and August 2016, in which 67 patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis, suspected or diagnosed, were assessed for epidemiological and clinical characteristics, such as pain level through a visual analog scale (VAS), features of deep infiltrating endometriosis lesions and score on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) before the onset of treatment. The statistical analysis was performed using the software STATA version 12.0 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX, USA) to compare the variables through multiple regression analysis.
The average age of the patients was 39.2 years old; most patients were symptomatic (92.5%); and the predominant location of the deep infiltrating lesions was on the rectosigmoid colon (50%), closely followed by the retrocervical region (48.3%). The medianoverallscoreontheFSFIwas23.4;in67.2%of thecasesthescorewas26.5(cutoff point for sexualdysfunction). Deepdyspareunia(p = 0.000,confidenceinterval [CI]:0.64- 0.83) and rectosigmoid endometriosis lesions (p = 0.008, CI: 0.72-0.95) showed significant correlation with lower FSFI scores, adjusted by bladder lesion, patients’ ageand size of lesions. Deep dyspareunia (p = 0.003, CI: 0.49-0.86) also exhibited significant correlation with FSFI pain domain, adjusted by cyclic bowel pain, vaginal lesion and use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog. These results reflect the influence of deep dyspareunia on the sexual dysfunction of the analyzed population.
Most patients exhibited sexual dysfunction, and deep dyspareunia was the pelvic painful symptom that showed correlation with sexual dysfunction.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2017;39(6):273-281
To evaluate the magnitude of the association of the polymorphisms of the genes PGR, CYP17A1 and CYP19A1 in the development of endometriosis.
This is a retrospective case-control study involving 161 women with endometriosis (cases) and 179 controls. The polymorphisms were genotyped by real-time polymerase chain reaction using the TaqMan system. The association of the polymorphisms with endometriosis was evaluated using the multivariate logistic regression.
The endometriosis patients were significantly younger than the controls (36.0±7.3 versus 38.0±8.5 respectively, p = 0.023), and they had a lower body mass index (26.3±4.8 versus 27.9±5.7 respectively, p = 0.006), higher average duration of the menstrual flow (7.4±4.9 versus 6.1±4.4 days respectively, p = 0.03), and lower average time intervals between menstrual periods (25.2±9.6 versus 27.5±11.1 days respectively, p = 0.05). A higher prevalence of symptoms of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, infertility and intestinal or urinary changes was observed in the case group when compared with the control group. The interval between the onset of symptoms and the definitive diagnosis of endometriosis was 5.2±6.9 years. When comparing both groups, significant differences were not observed in the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the polymorphisms PGR + 331C > T, CYP17A1 -34A > G and CYP19A1 1531G > A, even when considering the symptoms, classification and stage of the endometriosis. The combined genotype PGR + 331TT/CYP17A1 -34AA/CYP19A11531AA is positively associated with endometriosis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.72; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 1.09-2.72).
The combined analysis of the polymorphisms PGR-CYP17A1-CYP19A1 suggests a gene-gene interaction in the susceptibility to endometriosis. These results may contribute to the identification of biomarkers for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of the disease and of possible molecular targets for individualized treatments.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2017;39(6):273-281
To evaluate the magnitude of the association of the polymorphisms of the genes PGR, CYP17A1 and CYP19A1 in the development of endometriosis.
This is a retrospective case-control study involving 161 women with endometriosis (cases) and 179 controls. The polymorphisms were genotyped by real-time polymerase chain reaction using the TaqMan system. The association of the polymorphisms with endometriosis was evaluated using the multivariate logistic regression.
The endometriosis patients were significantly younger than the controls (36.0±7.3 versus 38.0±8.5 respectively, p = 0.023), and they had a lower body mass index (26.3±4.8 versus 27.9±5.7 respectively, p = 0.006), higher average duration of the menstrual flow (7.4±4.9 versus 6.1±4.4 days respectively, p = 0.03), and lower average time intervals between menstrual periods (25.2±9.6 versus 27.5±11.1 days respectively, p = 0.05). A higher prevalence of symptoms of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, infertility and intestinal or urinary changes was observed in the case group when compared with the control group. The interval between the onset of symptoms and the definitive diagnosis of endometriosis was 5.2±6.9 years. When comparing both groups, significant differences were not observed in the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the polymorphisms PGR + 331C > T, CYP17A1 -34A > G and CYP19A1 1531G > A, even when considering the symptoms, classification and stage of the endometriosis. The combined genotype PGR + 331TT/CYP17A1 -34AA/CYP19A11531AA is positively associated with endometriosis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.72; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 1.09-2.72).
The combined analysis of the polymorphisms PGR-CYP17A1-CYP19A1 suggests a gene-gene interaction in the susceptibility to endometriosis. These results may contribute to the identification of biomarkers for the diagnosis and/or prognosis of the disease and of possible molecular targets for individualized treatments.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2017;39(5):217-223
To evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on fertility in experimental retrocervical endometriosis.
A total of 27 New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups: endometriosis, in which endometrial implants were created; mesenchymal, in which MSCs were applied in addition to the creation of endometrial implants; and control, the group without endometriosis. Fisher’s exact test was performed to compare the dichotomous qualitative variables among the groups. The quantitative variables were compared by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The MannWhitney test was used for post-hoc multiple comparison with Boniferroni correction.
Regarding the beginning of the fertile period, the three groups had medians of 14±12.7, 40±5, and 33±8.9 days respectively (p = 0.005). With regard to fertility (number of pregnancies), the endometriosis and control groups showed a rate of 77.78%, whereas the mesenchymal group showed a rate of 11.20% (p = 0.015). No differences in Keenan’s histological classification were observed among the groups (p = 0.730). With regard to the macroscopic appearance of the lesions, the mesenchymal group showed the most pelvic adhesions.
The use of MSCs in endometriosis negatively contributed to fertility, suggesting the role of these cells in the development of this disease.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2017;39(5):217-223
To evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on fertility in experimental retrocervical endometriosis.
A total of 27 New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups: endometriosis, in which endometrial implants were created; mesenchymal, in which MSCs were applied in addition to the creation of endometrial implants; and control, the group without endometriosis. Fisher’s exact test was performed to compare the dichotomous qualitative variables among the groups. The quantitative variables were compared by the nonparametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The MannWhitney test was used for post-hoc multiple comparison with Boniferroni correction.
Regarding the beginning of the fertile period, the three groups had medians of 14±12.7, 40±5, and 33±8.9 days respectively (p = 0.005). With regard to fertility (number of pregnancies), the endometriosis and control groups showed a rate of 77.78%, whereas the mesenchymal group showed a rate of 11.20% (p = 0.015). No differences in Keenan’s histological classification were observed among the groups (p = 0.730). With regard to the macroscopic appearance of the lesions, the mesenchymal group showed the most pelvic adhesions.
The use of MSCs in endometriosis negatively contributed to fertility, suggesting the role of these cells in the development of this disease.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2017;39(1):31-34
The development of a tubocutaneous fistula due to endometriosis in a post-cesarean section surgical scar is a rare complication that generates significant morbidity in the affected women. Surgery is the treatment of choice in these cases. Hormonal therapies may lead to an improvement in symptoms, but do not eradicate such lesions. In this report, we present a 34-year-old patient with a cutaneous fistula in the left iliac fossa with cyclic secretion. Anamnesis, a physical examination, and supplementary tests led us to suggest endometriosis as the main diagnosis, which was confirmed after surgical intervention.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2017;39(1):31-34
The development of a tubocutaneous fistula due to endometriosis in a post-cesarean section surgical scar is a rare complication that generates significant morbidity in the affected women. Surgery is the treatment of choice in these cases. Hormonal therapies may lead to an improvement in symptoms, but do not eradicate such lesions. In this report, we present a 34-year-old patient with a cutaneous fistula in the left iliac fossa with cyclic secretion. Anamnesis, a physical examination, and supplementary tests led us to suggest endometriosis as the main diagnosis, which was confirmed after surgical intervention.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2016;38(5):253-262
Several authors have investigated the malignant transformation of endometriosis, which supports the hypothesis of the pre-neoplastic state of endometriotic lesions, but there are few data about the pathways and molecular events related to this phenomenon. This review provides current data about deregulated genes that may function as key factors in the malignant transition of endometriotic lesions. In order to do so, we first searched for studies that have screened differential gene expression between endometriotic tissues and normal endometrial tissue of women without endometriosis, and found only two articles with 139 deregulated genes. Further, using the PubMed database, we crossed the symbol of each gene with the terms related to malignancies, such as cancer and tumor, and obtained 9,619 articles, among which 444 were studies about gene expression associated with specific types of tumor. This revealed that more than 68% of the analyzed genes are also deregulated in cancer. We have also found genes functioning as tumor suppressors and an oncogene. In this study, we present a list of 95 informative genes in order to understand the genetic components that may be responsible for endometriosis' malignant transformation.
However, future studies should be conducted to confirm these findings.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2016;38(5):253-262
Several authors have investigated the malignant transformation of endometriosis, which supports the hypothesis of the pre-neoplastic state of endometriotic lesions, but there are few data about the pathways and molecular events related to this phenomenon. This review provides current data about deregulated genes that may function as key factors in the malignant transition of endometriotic lesions. In order to do so, we first searched for studies that have screened differential gene expression between endometriotic tissues and normal endometrial tissue of women without endometriosis, and found only two articles with 139 deregulated genes. Further, using the PubMed database, we crossed the symbol of each gene with the terms related to malignancies, such as cancer and tumor, and obtained 9,619 articles, among which 444 were studies about gene expression associated with specific types of tumor. This revealed that more than 68% of the analyzed genes are also deregulated in cancer. We have also found genes functioning as tumor suppressors and an oncogene. In this study, we present a list of 95 informative genes in order to understand the genetic components that may be responsible for endometriosis' malignant transformation.
However, future studies should be conducted to confirm these findings.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2016;38(5):218-224
To evaluate whether women with endometriosis have different ovarian reserves and reproductive outcomes when compared with women without this diagnosis undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection ( IVF/ ICSI), and to compare the reproductive outcomes between women with and without the diagnosis considering the ovarian reserve assessed by antral follicle count ( AFC ).
This retrospective cohort study evaluated all women who underwent IVF/ ICSI in a university hospital in Brazil between January 2011 and December 2012. All patients were followed up until a negative pregnancy test or until the end of the pregnancy. The primary outcomes assessed were number of retrieved oocytes and live birth. Women were divided into two groups according to the diagnosis of endometriosis, and each group was divided again into a group that had AFC 6 (poor ovarian reserve) and another that had AFC 7 (normal ovarian reserve). Continuous variables with normal distribution were compared using unpaired t-test, and those without normal distribution, using Mann-Whitney test. Binary data were compared using either Fisher's exact test or Chi-square (2) test. The significance level was set as p < 0.05.
787 women underwent IVF/ICSI (241 of which had endometriosis). Although the mean age has been similar between women with and without the diagnosis of endometriosis (33.8 4 versus 33.7 4.4 years, respectively), poor ovarian reserves were much more common in women with endometriosis (39.8 versus 22.7%). The chance of achieving live birth was similar between women with the diagnosis of endometriosis and those without it (19.1 versus 22.5%), and also when considering only women with a poor ovarian reserve (9.4 versus 8.9%) and only those with a normal ovarian reserve (25.5 versus 26.5%).
Women diagnosed with endometriosis are more likely to have a poor ovarian reserve; however, their chance of conceiving by IVF/ICSI is similar to the one observed in patients without endometriosis and with a comparable ovarian reserve.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2016;38(5):218-224
To evaluate whether women with endometriosis have different ovarian reserves and reproductive outcomes when compared with women without this diagnosis undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection ( IVF/ ICSI), and to compare the reproductive outcomes between women with and without the diagnosis considering the ovarian reserve assessed by antral follicle count ( AFC ).
This retrospective cohort study evaluated all women who underwent IVF/ ICSI in a university hospital in Brazil between January 2011 and December 2012. All patients were followed up until a negative pregnancy test or until the end of the pregnancy. The primary outcomes assessed were number of retrieved oocytes and live birth. Women were divided into two groups according to the diagnosis of endometriosis, and each group was divided again into a group that had AFC 6 (poor ovarian reserve) and another that had AFC 7 (normal ovarian reserve). Continuous variables with normal distribution were compared using unpaired t-test, and those without normal distribution, using Mann-Whitney test. Binary data were compared using either Fisher's exact test or Chi-square (2) test. The significance level was set as p < 0.05.
787 women underwent IVF/ICSI (241 of which had endometriosis). Although the mean age has been similar between women with and without the diagnosis of endometriosis (33.8 4 versus 33.7 4.4 years, respectively), poor ovarian reserves were much more common in women with endometriosis (39.8 versus 22.7%). The chance of achieving live birth was similar between women with the diagnosis of endometriosis and those without it (19.1 versus 22.5%), and also when considering only women with a poor ovarian reserve (9.4 versus 8.9%) and only those with a normal ovarian reserve (25.5 versus 26.5%).
Women diagnosed with endometriosis are more likely to have a poor ovarian reserve; however, their chance of conceiving by IVF/ICSI is similar to the one observed in patients without endometriosis and with a comparable ovarian reserve.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(2):77-81
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005199
To analyze the factors that might influence the recurrence of ovarian endometriomas after laparoscopic excision.
A retrospective cohort study. We evaluated 129 patients who underwent laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometriomas from 2003 to 2012 and who were followed up for at least two years after surgery. Vaginal ultrasound was repeated to exclude persistent lesion and to identify recurrence. The Student's t-test was used to compare continuous variables and the χ or Fischer exact test (for values of less than five) was used to test homogeneity between proportions. A logistic regression model for multivariate proportional hazards was used to analyze predictors of long-term outcome. The level of significance was set at 5% in all analyses.
The overall rate of ovarian endometrioma recurrence was 18.6%. Endometrioma diameter, surgical procedure techniques and demographic data such as age, presenting symptoms, body mass index, smoking and physical exercise habits were not associated with recurrence, whereas interruption of postoperative medical treatment was significantly correlated with a higher recurrence rate (OR 23.7; 95%CI 5.26-107.05; p=0.001).
Current oral contraceptive use appears to be associated with a dramatic reduction in the risk of recurrence of ovarian endometriotic cysts. Treatment interruption was associated with a higher recurrence rate of ovarian endometrioma after laparoscopic treatment.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(2):77-81
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320140005199
To analyze the factors that might influence the recurrence of ovarian endometriomas after laparoscopic excision.
A retrospective cohort study. We evaluated 129 patients who underwent laparoscopic excision of ovarian endometriomas from 2003 to 2012 and who were followed up for at least two years after surgery. Vaginal ultrasound was repeated to exclude persistent lesion and to identify recurrence. The Student's t-test was used to compare continuous variables and the χ or Fischer exact test (for values of less than five) was used to test homogeneity between proportions. A logistic regression model for multivariate proportional hazards was used to analyze predictors of long-term outcome. The level of significance was set at 5% in all analyses.
The overall rate of ovarian endometrioma recurrence was 18.6%. Endometrioma diameter, surgical procedure techniques and demographic data such as age, presenting symptoms, body mass index, smoking and physical exercise habits were not associated with recurrence, whereas interruption of postoperative medical treatment was significantly correlated with a higher recurrence rate (OR 23.7; 95%CI 5.26-107.05; p=0.001).
Current oral contraceptive use appears to be associated with a dramatic reduction in the risk of recurrence of ovarian endometriotic cysts. Treatment interruption was associated with a higher recurrence rate of ovarian endometrioma after laparoscopic treatment.