Endometriosis is inversely correlated with the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in the serum, according to a new study published in the scientific journal PLoS One. However, more research is necessary to establish a causal link between the disease and vitamin D3 levels and understand whether maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels could help prevent endometriosis.
There is currently no consensus on the association between vitamin D and endometriosis.
In the present study, a team of researchers from China led by Dr.…
Key Points
Lay Summary
The rate of return to use previously vitrified oocytes is notably low even though there is an increase in the number of patients pursuing oocyte cryopreservation, found a new study published in JAMA Network Open.
According to the authors of the study, patients with a poor ovarian response to stimulation are more likely to return to use vitrified oocytes. However, the time to return is comparable to patients with normal ovarian responses.
“Ultimately, this study accentuates the paramount importance of…
Key Points
Lay Summary
Deep infiltrating endometriosis and/or endometrioma diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound is associated with a lower chance of giving birth to a live baby in patients undergoing their first in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), according to a new study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility. However, the exact cause of this finding is not clear.
In order to assess the live birth rate following the first IVF or ICSI in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis and/or endometrioma…
Key Points
Lay Summary
It is crucial to take into account both physical and psychosocial factors to maintain physical and mental health in patients with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Psychology & Health.
“Treatment should address both pelvic pain and psychosocial factors to improve long-term physical and mental health in [endometriosis],” the authors of the study wrote.
To assess the possible link between physical and psychosocial factors and the physical and mental health of patients living with endometriosis,…
Key Points
Lay Summary
The live birth rate per in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine sperm injection (ICSI) cycle was significantly reduced in women who underwent surgery to treat endometriosis before the procedures, found a new study published in the scientific journal Reproductive Sciences.
“These data urge the clinician to carefully weigh the pros and cons before referring infertile patients with endometriosis to surgery before IVF,” the authors of the study said, “highlighting the key role of multidisciplinary referral centers”.
To clarify the long-standing issue…
Key Points
Lay Summary
Perceived loneliness directly affects quality of life, according to a new study conducted in women with endometriosis. It also plays a crucial role in mediating the effects of experiences that women find difficult to verbalize.
“It is possible that endometriosis patients’ difficulties in describing, understanding, and recognizing their emotions increased the feelings of being lonely, isolated, likely disbelieved and not understood, which in turn leads to pooper perceived endometriosis-related quality of life,” the researchers wrote in a report that they…
Key Points
Lay Summary
Surgery plays a pivotal role in improving the quality of life of women with endometriosis who have previously not responded to medical therapy. This is according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.
During the prospective observational study, a team of researchers from Italy led by Dr. Giacomo Ruffo analyzed patient-reported outcomes in 140 patients who had segmental colorectal resection for the treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis.
The patients were asked to respond to the MD…
Key Points
Lay Summary
Lactate could drive the progression of endometriosis by upregulating the expression of a gene called HMGB1, according to a new study published in the Journal of Biomedical Research. This finding identifies novel targets for the prevention and treatment of endometriosis.
The possible role of lactylation in endometriosis is not yet known. However, it is known that the process is involved in the proliferation and metastasis of certain types of cancer.
In the present study, a team of researchers from China…
Key Points
Lay Summary
Stress during endometriosis surgery among surgeons is greater than what they anticipate, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. The stress symptoms reported by surgeons start before surgery and is more common among those operating as primary surgeons and surgeons in training.
The authors of the study said that future studies should focus on factors that increase stress before surgery and pinpoint when these factors start having a detrimental effect on the performance…
Key Points
Lay Summary
High concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine may be associated with a higher risk of endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Environmental Science and Pollution Research. The study also found that the concentration of 9-fluorene in urine was associated with a high susceptibility to endometriosis in overweight women.
These findings shed light on the possible link between exposure to pollutants and the risk of endometriosis.
For the study, a team of researchers led by…
Key Points
Lay Summary
Robotic surgery is an option for the treatment of severe endometriosis, according to the results of a preliminary comparative study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. However, the approach is associated with higher costs.
“Next studies should identify specific indications for robotic surgery”, the authors of the study wrote, “where technical advantages provided by the technology are followed by objective improvement of patients' outcomes”.
In order to compare the postoperative outcomes and the overall expenses between conventional laparoscopy…
Key Points
Lay Summary
Many cell types are altered in endometriosis, found a new study published in the Journal of Pathology. The study also found that depending on the subtype of endometriosis, endometriosis cells show signatures of estrogen responsiveness, immunologic cytotoxicity, and proinflammation. Finally, it identified novel cellular interactions that could be meaningful for the development and progression of the disease.
“Our results may help extend pathologic insights, dissect aggressive diseases, and discover therapeutic targets in endometriosis,” the authors of the study said.
In order to better…
Key Points
Lay Summary
There may be a potential link between endometriosis, with and without chronic pain, anxiety, and depression, according to a new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
“We recommended that clinicians provide proper medical management of endometriosis-related pain through symptom management and adequate counseling for those suffering from anxiety and depression,” the authors of the study said.
In order to assess the association between endometriosis, chronic pain, anxiety, and depression, a team of researchers from McGill University in Montréal,…
Key Points
Lay Summary
The use of lipid nanoparticles carrying methotrexate seems to be safe and feasible in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. The approach could, therefore, be a new therapeutic option for the disease. However, “more prolonged treatment schemes should be tested in future placebo-controlled studies,” according to the authors.
Lipid nanoparticles carrying methotrexate were previously tested in women with endometriosis and shown to concentrate in endometriosis lesions.
In…
Key Points
Lay Summary
There is a significant association between endometriosis and obstetric complications, according to a new study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology.
“The present findings . . .may help inform clinical practice and future research,” the authors of the study said. “Further studies that use more detailed clinical data and longitudinal designs are needed to solidify the presented conclusions”.
To shed light on the possible link between endometriosis and adverse obstetric outcomes, a team of…
Key Points
Lay Summary
There seems to be a link between pain relief in endometriosis and a Mediterranean diet, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Science. This finding suggests that a Mediterranean diet could help manage chronic pain in endometriosis in the long run.
In order to assess the potential role of a change towards the Mediterranean diet on the perception of pain in women with endometriosis, a team of researchers led by Dr. Cinzia Fatini from the Department…
Key Points
Lay Summary
The non-peptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist SHR7280 has favorable safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics in 3 different doses, according to the results of a phase 1 clinical trial published in the scientific journal Clinical Pharmacokinetics.
“The results of this study provide evidence to support the further development of SHR7280 as a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist for the treatment of endometriosis-related pain in the subsequent Phase 2 trial,” wrote the authors of the study.
In the phase 1 portion of the trial, 24 premenopausal women…
Key Points
Lay Summary
Robotic-assisted excision surgery to treat large rectal endometriotic nodules larger than 3 cm is not associated with a higher risk of complications following the operation compared to conventional laparoscopy, according to a new study published in the journal Colorectal Diseases.
Robotic-assisted surgery may therefore be a good option for the treatment of patients with these kinds of nodules.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Horace Roman from the Franco-European Multidisciplinary Endometriosis Institute, Clinique Tivoli-Ducos in Bordeaux, France, and Franco-European…
Key Points
Lay Summary
Women with endometriosis are open to participating in research, according to a new Australian study published in the journal "Medicina (Kaunas)". This way, they said, “they felt aligned with their needs, with a significant focus on diagnostic tools and symptom relief”.
Funding for research into endometriosis is still lower than for other chronic diseases and the priorities of patients and clinicians may be different in terms of which areas should be researched.
Here, a team led by Prof. Mike Armour…
Key Points
Lay Summary
Apart from having difficulties conceiving, women with endometriosis also seem to have a significantly higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This is according to a new population-based study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.
It is already known that endometriosis is highly associated with infertility. It may also likely affect the outcome of pregnancy.
In order to assess whether endometriosis is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, a team of researchers led by Dr. Sun Min Kim from the Department…
Key Points
Lay Summary