Pre-Diagnosis Hospital Utilization Patterns in Women With Endometriosis
Endometriosis is commonly associated with symptoms such as painful periods, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. Diagnosing the condition is challenging due to symptom overlap with other gynecologic and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as the need for advanced imaging or laparoscopic…
Key Points Lay SummaryDiagnostic Delays in Endometriosis: Contributing Factors
While the delay in diagnosing endometriosis is well-documented, the reasons behind this delay and the specific gaps in the healthcare system remain poorly understood. Transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are useful tools in detecting the condition, but laparoscopic surgery…
Key Points Lay SummaryEndometriosis Prevalence High Among Women With Unexplained Infertility
The prevalence of endometriosis and tubal abnormalities is still high among patients with unexplained infertility, according to a new study published in the scientific journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online. “The high prevalence of endometriosis in this population is important for decision-making…
Key Points Lay SummaryPsychosocial Factors Must Be Taken Into Account When Dealing With Endometriosis
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…
Key Points Lay SummaryA suggestion for a novel in vitro diagnostic test for endometriosis
As the research continues to find a gold standard non-invasive diagnostic method for endometriosis, there still is no definitive answer. One of the most commonly studied markers is Cancer Antigen 125 (CA125) – a biomarker that is secreted from the…
Key Points Lay SummaryWomen With Endometriosis Willing to Participate in Research
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…
Key Points Lay SummaryHealthcare Seeking Behaviour May Be Sign of Endometriosis
Women with endometriosis had a higher utilization of primary and secondary healthcare in the 10 years before receiving a diagnosis, found a new study published in the scientific journal Human Reproduction. “With this knowledge, healthcare professionals could be better at relating…
Key Points Lay SummaryA review for genetics of endometriosis.
There is an increased risk of developing endometriosis among first-degree relatives, which can raise suspicions of the role of genetic factors in endometriosis. Genome-wide association studies and next-generation sequencing have identified numerous genetic loci and variants relating to the disease.…
Key Points Lay SummaryEndometriosis of the skeletal muscular system
Endometriosis of the skeletal muscular system (ESMS) is characterized by the presence of endometrial cells in skeletal muscles, bones, or joints. Despite its rare occurrence, ESMS has been reported in various muscle and joint locations, leading to atypical symptoms and…
Key Points Lay SummaryThe best method for the diagnosis of endometriosis: SEE and BELIEVE
Deciding on the best diagnostic procedure for endometriosis patients has been a recent subject of debate. While some clinicians believe non-invasive methods such as imaging and symptom-based treatment should be the choice in the diagnosis, some believe the best method…
Key Points Lay SummaryListening to patients’ complaints is the first step on the way to a diagnosis of endometriosis.
Early diagnosis and management of endometriosis are not possible due to the wide spectrum of symptoms and absence of non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers. Particularly the adolescent population is at risk for the diagnostic delay because pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea are very…
Key Points Lay SummaryImaging Techniques Able to Predict Depth of Endometriosis Before Surgery
Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed by a specialist can accurately predict the depth of rectosigmoid endometriosis before surgery, according to a new study published in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Both approaches are similar…
Key Points Lay SummaryEndometriosis of the Diaphragm, What do the Doctors Know About it?
The median time between the first consultation with a primary care physician and receiving a diagnosis of endometriosis of the diaphragm is two years according to a study by U.K. researchers. In the worse case, it took 23 years for…
Key Points Lay SummaryShining like fireflies: a new approach to visualize early endometriosis
Endometriosis is a complex and unsolved disease that requires animal studies in order to understand its nature. There are a group of animal models designed for endometriosis studies, but most require sacrificing the animal. In the experimental study designed by the team…
Key Points Lay SummaryIndocyanin Green dye for recognition of occult endometriotic lesions
The surgery for endometriosis is challenging and the resection of all lesions is not accurately related to not catching all lesions under white light (WL) conventional laparoscopy. In the study conducted by Luigi Carlo Turco et al., in a tertiary…
Key Points Lay SummaryA new "survey-based" endometriosis diagnostic tool
Endometriosis is a disease that is diagnosed years after its appearance which causes life quality impairment to patients. It is crucial for the patient to find out the probability of the presence of endometriosis, for applying to healthcare providers before…
Key Points Lay SummaryThe association of chronic endometritis, endometriosis and tubal infertility
Holzer et al. from the Department of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine of Medical University of Vienna, Austria, set up apilot prospective cohort study to evaluate the relationship between chronic endometritis, infertility and endometriosis. The results of the study were recently…
Key Points Lay SummaryComparison of diagnostic accuracy of imaging modalities for the deep infiltrating endometriosis
The treatment of deeply infiltrated endometriosis (DIE) is usually personalized and the potential success for the available therapeutical options is dependent on early and accurate diagnosis. Laparoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of DIE. Other non-invasive diagnostic methods…
Key Points Lay SummaryEndometriosis Diagnosis in White, Black, and Asian Women
In a commentary published in the "International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology", Drs. Farland and Horne talk about a study by researchers in Canada and the Philippines, which found that black women are less likely, and Asian women are more likely to…
Key Points Lay SummaryTransvaginal Ultrasound of Endometriosis
A recent manuscript published by Collins et al. from the Department of Radiology at Penn State Hershey Medical Center aims to review the transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) evaluation of endometriosis and offer a protocol that is dedicated to the thorough evaluation…
Key Points Lay SummarySeven Hormonal Biomarkers for Diagnosing Endometriosis
Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition characterized by implantation and invasive growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Although it is benign, endometriosis has cancer-like features, a mutation profile similar to that of ovarian cancer, and increased ovarian cancer risk.…
Key Points Lay SummaryAdenomyosis (endometriosis interna): an enigmatic disease that has to be discovered yet
Scientists, Drs. Vannuccini and Petraglia from Italy have published an open access comprehensive review of Adenomyosis in "F1000Research" in March 2019 issue. Adenomyosis is a uterine disorder in which endometrial glands and stroma are pathologically demonstrated within the myometrium, i.e.…
Key Points Lay SummaryFactors related to delay in endometriosis diagnosis
Dr. Moniek van der Zanden, a gynecologist from Netherlands has recently made a nationwide survey on the impact of key recommendations of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) guidelines on endometriosis and aimed to assess factors influencing diagnostic delay of…
Key Points Lay SummaryUrocortin 1 as a noninvasive diagnostic marker for endometriosis
Urocortin 1 (Ucn1) is a neuropeptide secreted by epithelial cells of the endometrium. It promotes endometrial differentiation to help with embryo implantation. Endometriotic lesions were shown to be rich in Ucn1, suggesting a potential role for Ucn1 in the pathogenesis…
Key Points Lay SummaryPatient-completed or symptom-based screening tools for endometriosis: a scoping review.
Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women in reproductive age. Its clinical presentation is variable, and symptoms, such as chronic pelvic pain, may overlap with those of other benign conditions, making differential diagnosis challenging. Therefore, a patient-completed screening questionnaire could potentially…
Key Points Lay SummaryMore than Four Years Pass Before Endometriosis is Diagnosed After Symptoms First Appear
The average time that passes between the onset of symptoms such as pelvic pain and the diagnosis of endometriosis is 4.4 years on average, according to a study conducted by researchers at the pharmaceutical company Abbvie and published in the…
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