Özge Özkaya, PhD
Özge has a Phd in Molecular Biology and several years experience working as a bench scientists. She has been working in science communication since 2014.
Pain Catastrophizing Associated With Pain Disability in Endometeiosis
Pain catastrophizing and pain disability significantly affect each other in patients with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. “Future research should examine the temporal relationship between catastrophizing and disability to inform intervention practices,” the auhtors of the study said. “Health care providers are strongly encouraged to evaluate the effects of endometriosis in patients using a biopsychosocial framework”. To shed light on the possible link between components of pain catastrophizing and pain…
Key Points Lay Summary
Study Sheds Light on How Parabens and Benzophenones May Be Linked to Endometriosis
Exposure to parabens and benzophenones may be linked to the altered expression profile of genes involved in cellular pathways associated with the development of endometriosis, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. “Given the novelty of these results, further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted in order to confirm the impact of human exposure to [endocrine-disrupting chemicals] on the pathophysiology of endometriosis,” the authors of the study said. Parabens and benzophenones are chemicals…
Key Points Lay Summary
Childhood Adversity Associated With Increased Risk of Endometriosis and Fibroids
Childhood adversity such as physical and sexual abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, peer bullying before 18 years of age may be associated with the development of endometriosis and fibroids later in life, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Fertility and Sterility. “These initial findings warrant further investigation in larger studies using standardized measures,” the authors of the study said. Childhood adversity has been studied in relation to different health outcomes but its possible link with gynecological conditions such as endometriosis are…
Key Points Lay Summary
Potential New Biomarker Could Help Assess Endometriosis Severity
High levels of two proteins, 'perforin 1' and 'major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (MICA)' are associated with the stage of endometriosis, found a new study published in the scientific journal Immunological Investigations. They could therefore be used as a biomarker to assess the severity of the disease. “Future studies should validate this finding and explore its therapeutic role in endometriosis,” the authors of the study said. In order to test the possible link between molecules that play a…
Key Points Lay Summary
DIE Complex and Requires Interdisciplinary Approach
The vast majority of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) cases are treated with minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. Moreover, there is a high need for interdisciplinary operations. “Our results emphasize the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of the disease,” the authors of the study concluded. “Therefore, treatment should preferably take place at an endometriosis center of the highest level with experienced, well-coordinated teams”. The study, led by Dr. Jürgen Andress from…
Key Points Lay Summary
More Young Patients Regret Having a Hysterectomy Than Older Ones
A study published inObstetrics & Gynecology found that patients aged 30 or younger were more likely to regret their decision to undergo a hysterectomy compared to those aged 31 to 49, regardless of factors such as parity, prior sterilization, or previous treatments To assess long-term regret following hysterectomy, researchers led by Dr. Christine E. Foley conducted a matched retrospective cohort study. The study compared patients aged 30 and younger with those aged 31 to 49 who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign…
Key Points Lay Summary
Systematic Approach Could Help Better Diagnose Endometriosis
A group of gynecologists and gynecological oncologists with extensive experience in ultrasound presented a systematic methodology to evaluate the structures within the pelvic sidewall and define useful sonographic landmarks. This approach can improve the diagnosis of gynecological pathologies such as deep endometriosis or malignant tumors ensuring patients receive the appropriate intervention for their condition. The team of experts led by Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine at Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary…
Key Points Lay Summary
Laparoscopic Excision vs. Ablation in Endometriosis: A Comparison of Symptom and Quality of Life Outcomes
Laparoscopic excision surgery showed greater benefits over many symptoms and quality of life measures in patients with endometriosis who previously underwent ablation surgery. This is according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. This finding is important because it is important and help guide decision-making in terms of endometriosis treatment. In order to compare the effect of laparoscopic ablation and excision on symptom relief and quality of life outcomes in patients with endometriosis, a team of…
Key Points Lay Summary
A Link Between Endometriosis and Sleep Disturbances
There seems to be a link between sleep disturbances and endometriosis, according to a systematic review of the literature. This information can help shape future clinical recommendations to screen for and treat sleep disturbances in patients with endometriosis and improve their quality of life. To shed light on the possible association between endometriosis and sleep disturbances, a team of researchers led by Dr. Sarah J Holdsworth-Carson from the Julia Argyrou Endometriosis Centre at Epworth HealthCare in Richmond and the Department…
Key Points Lay Summary
Anti-inflammatory Diet Feasible in Patients With Endometriosis
An anti-inflammatory diet is feasible in patients with endometriosis, according to a new study published in the journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online. This is the case especially when identified barriers and facilitators are addressed in an intervention. “ Provision of knowledge, stimulating social support, and enhancing self-efficacy should be emphasized,” the authors of the study said. To analyze the feasibility of an inflammatory diet in patients with endometriosis, a team of researchers led by Dr. Annemiek Nap from the Department of Gynaecology…
Key Points Lay Summary
Misconceptions About Endometriosis Affect Insurrance Claims Too
Women with endometriosis face many obstacles and misconceptions about the disease, its diagnosis, and its treatment, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Women’s Health Issues. As a consequence, their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims “are systematically disadvantaged”, especially among those with no access to care. “The health care, policy, and legal systems can leverage the findings in this study to create a more equitable disability application and review system for those…
Key Points Lay Summary
Communication of Endometriosis Pain is Complex
The communication of pain between patients with endometriosis and doctors is complex and includes patterns of disbelief, normalization, and psychological attribution. This is according to a new study by Norwegian scientists published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. “Engaging in discussions about pain presents diverse challenges stemming from insufficient communication skills and assessment tools,” the authors of the study said. To analyze findings on how patients with endometriosis and healthcare professionals experience the communication of pain,…
Key Points Lay Summary
MicroRNA-Mediated Hormone Dysregulation in Endometriosis
The expressions of certain micro RNAs and estrogen receptor (ER) beta are significantly upregulated while that of ER alfa is downregulated in the ectopic endometrium, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Biomedicines. However, the expression of progesterone receptors(PRs) A and B is not different. Based on these findings, the authors of the study concluded that micro RNAs could be potential biomarkers of endometriosis and be targeted to treat the disease. It is already known that patients with…
Key Points Lay Summary
Menstrual Blood Biomarkers for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Endometriosis
Aromatase, steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), and 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (HSD17B2) levels in the menstrual blood can differentiate between patients with endometriosis and those without, according to a new study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. While this finding suggests that aromatase, SF-1, and HSD17B2 could be biomarkers for the non-invasive diagnosis of the disease, more research is needed to validate their reliability. Reliable non-invasive biomarkers are still lacking in endometriosis. As a result many women still…
Key Points Lay Summary
New Model Could Help in the Diagnosis of Endometriosis
Researchers from China established a diagnostic model of endometriosis based on disulfidptosis-related genes. They said that their diagnostic model was a good predictor of endometriosis. The team led by Dr. Yaoyao Zhao from the Department of Gynecology, Zhuji People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province in China, used the mRNA expression data from endometriosis patients in the gene expression omnibus database to develop a model. They subjected the data to differential analysis and conducted a co-expression analysis based on 10 disulfidptosis genes.They then…
Key Points Lay Summary
Integrating Virtual Reality Modeling for Enhanced Surgical Management of Endometriosis
Transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted by experts are generally sufficient for the surgical planning and management of endometriosis, as noted in a recent study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. However, incorporating novel techniques such as 3D printing and virtual reality modeling can enhance these standard imaging modalities. The authors reported that these advanced approaches significantly improved patients' understanding and experience. Additionally, they provided medical learners with a clearer grasp of traditional imaging techniques and their relation to…
Key Points Lay Summary
Study Sheds Light on the Role of Programmed Cell Death in Endometriosis
Three genes, TNFSF12, AP3M1, and PDK2 could be key biomarkers of programmed cell death in endometriosis, according to a new study published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Frontiers in Endocrinology. “These findings provide new directions for the early diagnosis and personalized treatment of [endometriosis],” the study authors said. It is already known that programmed cell death plays a key role in the development of endometriosis. However, it is not well-understood how this relates to the formation of endometrial lesions, which…
Key Points Lay Summary
Appendiceal Endometriosis Associated With Ovarian and Bladder Endometriosis
There is a significant association between appendiceal, ovarian, and bladder endometriosis, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. This could be explained by the spread of the disease via the shedding of endometrioma fluid. “Given the prevalence of appendiceal involvement, counseling regarding the potential need for appendectomy during endometriosis surgery should be considered,” the authors of the study said. In order to assess the prevalence of appendiceal endometriosis and its association with…
Key Points Lay Summary
Nerve-Sparing Surgery Safe in DIE
Robot-assisted nerve-sparing modified radical hysterectomy is associated with longer operative times and lower estimated blood loss compared to the conventional laparoscopic approach to treat deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), according to a new study published in the scientific journal Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. On the contrary, the number of hospitalization days and complications were similar between the two approaches. “Our results imply that nerve-sparing surgery can be safely and reproducibly performed using conventional or robotic laparoscopic modalities to treat [deep…
Key Points Lay Summary
Preterm Birth Risk Higher Among Women With Endo
Pregnant women with endometriosis have a higher risk of having a premature baby and other poor pregnancy outcomes compared to those without the disease, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Fertility and Sterility. This finding highlights the importance of promptly treating the disease and monitoring and counseling women with the disease during pregnancy. The present study had 3 main objectives: to explore the possible link between endometriosis and premature birth; to explore the association between endometriosis and…
Key Points Lay Summary