1. Cancers, infections, and endocrine diseases in women with endometriosis.
- Author
-
Gemmill JA, Stratton P, Cleary SD, Ballweg ML, and Sinaii N
- Subjects
- Addison Disease epidemiology, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Comorbidity, Congenital Abnormalities epidemiology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Cushing Syndrome epidemiology, Endometriosis surgery, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Mitral Valve Prolapse epidemiology, Prevalence, Recurrence, Self Disclosure, Skin Neoplasms epidemiology, Uterine Diseases surgery, Young Adult, Endocrine System Diseases epidemiology, Endometriosis epidemiology, Melanoma epidemiology, Ovarian Neoplasms epidemiology, Respiratory Tract Infections epidemiology, Uterine Diseases epidemiology, Vaginal Diseases epidemiology
- Abstract
Objective: To assess the prevalence of patient-reported, physician-diagnosed comorbid conditions in women with endometriosis., Design: Cross-sectional study of self-reported survey data., Setting: Academic research., Patient(s): Four thousand three hundred thirty-one Endometriosis Association (EA) members reporting surgically diagnosed endometriosis., Intervention(s): None., Main Outcome Measure(s): Self-reported, physician-diagnosed infectious diseases, cancers, and endocrine diseases., Result(s): Nearly two-thirds of women reported one or more of the assessed conditions. Recurrent upper respiratory infections and recurrent vaginal infections were common and more likely in women responding to the EA survey. Melanoma was reported by 0.7% (n=29), breast cancer by 0.4% (n=16), and ovarian cancer by 0.2% (n=10). While ovarian cancer and melanoma were significantly more common than in the general population, breast cancer was surprisingly less common. Addison's disease and Cushing's syndrome were rare (0.2% and 0.1%, respectively)., Conclusion(s): Respondents reported a higher prevalence of recurrent upper respiratory or vaginal infections, melanoma, and ovarian cancer than the general population. These findings document other potential associations related to the immune system, which may help focus future research into this disease., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF