Endometriosis Seems to Increase the Risk of Preeclampsia

The finding is based on data from very few studies and more research is needed.

Key Points

Highlights: 

• Endometriosis seems to increase the risk of preeclampsia in women who conceive spontaneously.
• Endometriosis does not seem to increase the risk of C-section delivery or bleeding following delivery, though more research is needed.

Importance:

• These findings can ensure that women with endometriosis who conceive spontaneously are followed closely so that they receive appropriate care.

What's done here:

• Researchers conducted a literature review of observational studies published until November 2021, which investigated the risk of preeclampsia in women with endometriosis who conceived spontaneously.

Key results:

• Endometriosis was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia.
• Endometriosis did not significantly increase the risk of Cesarean delivery or postpartum hemorrhage. 

Limitations:

• The study is based on the results of a small number of studies.
• The studies that are included are heterogeneous according to bias assessment. 

Lay Summary

Women with endometriosis who conceive spontaneously, i.e. without the help of assisted reproductive technologies seem to be at a higher risk of preeclampsia, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. However, endometriosis does not seem to increase the risk of C-section deliveries and bleeding following delivery, though the authors of the study noted that “ the number of studies was limited, and the heterogeneity was high.”

Their aim was to assess the possible link between endometriosis and the risk of preeclampsia in women who conceived spontaneously.

The team, led by Dr. Eva Suarthana from McGill University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences conducted a systematic review of the literature and identified three articles on spontaneous pregnancies in women with endometriosis.

According to these articles, endometriosis was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia but it did not significantly increase the risk of Cesarean delivery or hemorrhage following delivery.

“We detected an increased risk of preeclampsia in women with endometriosis who conceived spontaneously”, the researchers concluded and added that more research is needed to better evaluate the relationship between endometriosis and adverse maternal outcomes.

Preeclampsia is a serious condition that can develop during pregnancy. It is characterized by high blood pressure and high levels of protein in the urine. Preeclampsia can cause preterm delivery and must be treated by a healthcare professional.

Research Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36403695/