The Association of Sonographic Evidence of Adenomyosis with Severe Endometriosis and Gene Expression in Eutopic Endometrium

Predicting disease recurrence in patients with endometriosis: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Despite surgical and pharmacological interventions, endometriosis can recur. Reliable information regarding risk of recurrence following a first diagnosis is scant. The aim of this study was to examine clinical and survey data in the setting of disease recurrence to identify predictors of risk of endometriosis recurrence.

METHODS

This observational study reviewed data from 794 patients having surgery for pelvic pain or endometriosis. Patients were stratified into two analytic groups based on self-reported or surgically confirmed recurrent endometriosis. Statistical analyses included univariate, followed by multivariate logistic regression to identify risk factors of recurrence, with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regularisation. Risk-calibrated Supersparse Linear Integer Models (RiskSLIM) and survival analyses (with Lasso) were undertaken to identify predictive features of recurrence.

RESULTS

Several significant features were repeatedly identified in association with recurrence, including adhesions, high rASRM score, deep disease, bowel lesions, adenomyosis, emergency room attendance for pelvic pain, younger age at menarche, higher gravidity, high blood pressure and older age. In the surgically confirmed group, with a score of 5, the RiskSLIM method was able to predict the risk of recurrence (compared to a single diagnosis) at 95.3% and included adenomyosis and adhesions in the model. Survival analysis further highlighted bowel lesions, adhesions and adenomyosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Following an initial diagnosis of endometriosis, clinical decision-making regarding disease management should take into consideration the presence of bowel lesions, adhesions and adenomyosis, which increase the risk of endometriosis recurrence.

Conservative surgical treatment for adenomyosis: New options for looking beyond uterus removal

Adenomyosis is a common benign uterine disorders and patients may present dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and infertility. The treatment is very complex, including medical, surgical or radiological approaches. Hormonal drugs represent the first line therapy of adenomyosis, highly effective on symptoms and uterine volume reduction. Radiological procedures (UAE and HIFU), RFA and hysteroscopy may be proposed in those cases in which medical therapy is ineffective. Considering surgical treatment, hysterectomy remains the only existing definitive treatment but in the last decades the desire of uterus preservation is becoming more and more diffuse. On the other hand, surgical conservative treatments of adenomyosis are very effective in ameliorating AUB and pelvic pain and in reducing uterine volume, with some post-operative risks and obstetrics complications. Cytoreductive surgery for adenomyosis may be very complex, therefore it should be performed by experienced surgeons in dedicated centers, above all in case of concomitant endometriosis.

Extrinsic Adenomyosis Is Associated With Postoperative Recurrence of Ovarian Endometrioma

Objective: To determine whether endometrioma recurrence is closely related to the presence of extrinsic adenomyosis, which was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Design: Observational crosssectional study involving patients with the recurrence of ovarian endometrioma (OMA). Correlations of endometrioma recurrence and adenomyosis subtypes shown by MRI were analyzed. Method: Between January 2018 and December 2020, a total of 233 patients with recurrence of OMA after ovarian cystectomy were administered for surgery at our institution. All patients were divided into subtype II (Group A), subtype I+IV (Group B), and nonadenomyosis (Group C) groups at preoperative MRI imaging. The correlations of endometrioma recurrence with clinical features, imaging appearance, and surgical findings were retrospectively analyzed. Results: We found 112 (48.07%) patients of endometrioma recurrence combined with subtype II adenomyosis, 8 (3.43%) subtype I adenomyosis, 47 (20.17%) subtype IV adenomyosis, 66 (28.32%) nonadenomyosis. The mean time of OMA recurrence (44.28 ± 8.37, vs. 63.96 ± 10.28, vs. 69.36 ± 9.34 mon), rate of pain symptoms (85.71, vs. 69.10, vs. 18.18%), and primary infertility (31.25, vs. 14.55, vs. 10.77%) were higher in Group A. Uterine volume (257.37± 42.61, vs. 203.14 ± 33.52, vs. 100.85 ± 26.67 cm³), and mean OMA size (4.97 ± 2.25, vs. 4.36 ± 2.38, vs. 4.46 ± 2.70 cm) were significantly larger in Group A. The rate of DIE (83.93, vs. 45.45, vs. 40.91%), the number of DIE (3.6 ± 1.8 vs. 2.3 ± 1.5 vs. 2.2 ± 1.3), the mean total revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine score (rASRM, 103.14 ± 23.89 vs. 74.23 ± 16.72 vs. 36.51 ± 14.23) were significantly higher in Group A. After a multiple logistic regression analysis, extrinsic adenomyosis (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2-3.4), DIE lesions (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4-2.8), and primary infertility (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-4.3) were significantly associated with early recurrence (in 3-year) of OMA. Conclusions: Extrinsic adenomyosis was associated with postoperative recurrence of OMA. In addition, a pathogenic link between extrinsic adenomyosis and pelvic endometriosis needs to be clarified.

Transcriptomics of receptive endometrium in women with sonographic features of adenomyosis

BACKGROUND

Women with uterine adenomyosis seeking assisted reproduction have been associated with compromised endometrial receptivity to embryo implantation. To understand the mechanisms involved in this process, we aimed to compare endometrial transcriptome profiles during the window of implantation (WOI) between women with and without adenomyosis.

METHODS

We obtained endometrial biopsies LH-timed to the WOI from women with sonographic features of adenomyosis (n=10) and controls (n=10). Isolated RNA samples were subjected to RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) by the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform and endometrial receptivity classification with a molecular tool for menstrual cycle phase dating (beREADY®, CCHT). The program language R and Bioconductor packages were applied to analyse RNA-seq data in the setting of the result of accurate endometrial dating. To suggest robust candidate pathways, the identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with the adenomyosis group in the receptive phase were further integrated with 151, 173 and 42 extracted genes from published studies that were related to endometrial receptivity in healthy uterus, endometriosis and adenomyosis, respectively. Enrichment analyses were performed using Cytoscape ClueGO and CluePedia apps.

RESULTS

Out of 20 endometrial samples, 2 were dated to the early receptive phase, 13 to the receptive phase and 5 to the late receptive phase. Comparison of the transcriptomics data from all 20 samples provided 909 DEGs (p<0.05; nonsignificant after adjusted p value) in the adenomyosis group but only 4 enriched pathways (Bonferroni p value < 0.05). The analysis of 13 samples only dated to the receptive phase provided suggestive 382 DEGs (p<0.05; nonsignificant after adjusted p value) in the adenomyosis group, leading to 33 enriched pathways (Bonferroni p value < 0.05). These included pathways were already associated with endometrial biology, such as "Expression of interferon (IFN)-induced genes" and "Response to IFN-alpha". Data integration revealed pathways indicating a unique effect of adenomyosis on endometrial molecular organization (e.g., "Expression of IFN-induced genes") and its interference with endometrial receptivity establishment (e.g., "Extracellular matrix organization" and "Tumour necrosis factor production").

CONCLUSIONS

Accurate endometrial dating and RNA-seq analysis resulted in the identification of altered response to IFN signalling as the most promising candidate of impaired uterine receptivity in adenomyosis.

Clinical Features and Long-Term Outcomes After Laparoscopic Surgery in Patients Co-existing With Endometriosis and Adenomyosis

Objective: To investigate the difference of clinical features and outcomes between EM patients with and without AM after following up for at least 6 years after surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 358 EM patients who had a minimum of 6 years follow-up after laparoscopic cystectomy, which was performed by one single doctor at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2009 to April 2013. All women were divided into AM group and non-AM group and analysis was performed in preoperative characteristics, surgical findings and postoperative outcomes during follow-up.

Results: A total of 358 EM patients were recruited, of which 142 (39.7%) were in the AM group and the rest 216 (60.3%) in the non-AM group. Between the two group, the mean age was 34.6 vs. 32.2 years (P < 0.001). The mean operating time in the AM and non-AM group was 73.2 vs. 61.9 min (P < 0.001). According to the revised AFS classification, the mean score of the two group were 60.3 vs. 45.5 (P < 0.001). At the end of the follow-up, though the AM group was with higher rate of disease relapse, yet no significant difference was found between the two groups in statistical comparison (34/142 [23.9%] vs. 34/216 [15.7%], P = 0.053). With a minimum follow-up of 6 years after laparoscopic cystectomy, failed and successful pregnancy were seen in 107/142(75.4%) and 35/142 (24.6%) patients in the AM group vs. 114/216(52.8%) and 102/216 (47.2%) patients in the non-AM group (P < 0.05). As for the successfully pregnant patients, live births, including spontaneous pregnancy and IVF-ET, were seen in 34/35 (97.1) vs. 99/102 (97.1) patients between AM and non-AM groups, while others ended in spontaneous abortion. No significant associations were found between the two groups in infertility, leiomyoma presence, the size of ovarian endometrioma, type of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) or type of recurrence (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Compared with non-AM group, EM patients with concurrent AM may have higher age, longer mean operating time and higher mean AFS score. In terms of fertility outcomes, patients in the AM group were with lower likelihood of pregnancy after surgery during the long-time follow-up.

Sonographic Signs of Adenomyosis in Women with Endometriosis Are Associated with Infertility

We compared the prevalence of ultrasound signs of adenomyosis in women with endometriosis who underwent surgery to those who were managed conservatively. This was a retrospective study of women evaluated at a tertiary endometriosis referral center who underwent 2D/3D transvaginal ultrasound. Adenomyosis diagnosis was based on the presence of at least three sonographic signs. The study group subsequently underwent laparoscopic surgery while the control group continued conservative management. Statistical analysis compared the two groups for demographics, symptoms, clinical data, and sonographic findings. The study and control groups included 244 and 158 women, respectively. The presence of any, 3+, or 5+ sonographic signs of adenomyosis was significantly more prevalent in the study group (OR = 1.93–2.7, p < 0.004, 95% CI; 1.24–4.09). After controlling for age, for all findings but linear striations, the OR for having a specific feature was higher in the study group. Women in the study group with ≥ 5 sonographic signs of adenomyosis had more than twice the risk of experiencing infertility (OR = 2.31, p = 0.012, 95% CI; 1.20–4.45). Sonographic signs of adenomyosis are more prevalent in women with symptomatic endometriosis who underwent surgery compared with those who continued conservative management. Women with 5+ findings have a significantly increased risk of infertility. Adenomyosis on ultrasound should be considered in the management decisions regarding these patients.

Uterine involvement by endometriosis: Sonographic features from elusive findings to apparent adenomyosis

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of this study is to investigate whether there are any minor sonographic uterine findings, not typical for adenomyosis, in endometriosis patients. The secondary objective is to determine the prevalence of sonographic features of adenomyosis in an infertile population with endometriosis.

STUDY DESIGN

The investigation was of 291 infertile women with endometriosis, either manifesting endometrioma (OMA) or diagnosed through laparoscopy, who were investigated for two-dimensional transvaginal sonographic (2D-TVS) features of adenomyosis. These patients were grouped as either having endometriosis with adenomyosis (EwA,n = 121) or without adenomyosis (EwoA, n = 170). Additionally, patients without both endometriosis and 2D-TVS features of adenomyosis constituted the control group (n = 170).

RESULTS

At least one 2D-TVS feature of adenomyosis was detected in 41.6 % (n = 121) of women with endometriosis. Asymmetrical myometrial thickening of uterine walls (57.9 %), hyperechogenic islands (47.1 %), and fan-shaped shadowing (46.9 %) were relatively more prevalent 2D-TVS findings among EwA patients. Multiple OMA (p = 0.038), OMA ≥ 4 cm (p = 0.034), and total OMA volumes were found to be higher (p = 0.004) in the EwA group. Additionally, uterine volumes were found to be 96.7 cm³, 73.0 cm³, and 64.2 cm³ in the EwA, EwoA, and control groups, respectively (EwA vs EwoA, p < 0.001; EwoA vs control, p <0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the presence of endometriosis was independently associated with an increase in uterine volume (β = 0.243, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

A stepwise and statistically significant volume increase from the control group to the EwoA and then to the EwA group may reflect a spectrum of uterine involvement in endometriosis. This might indicate that many uterine endometriosis cases are still hidden from view, possibly demonstrating an "iceberg phenomenon".

Animal Models of Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is a nonmalignant uterine disorder in which endometrial tissue exists within and grows into the myometrium. Animal models have generated limited insight into the still-unclear pathogenesis of adenomyosis, provided a platform for preclinical screening of many drugs and compounds with potential as therapeutics, and elucidated mechanisms underlying the pain and fertility issues that occur in many women with the disease. Spontaneous adenomyosis has been studied in nonhuman primates, primarily in the form of case reports. Adenomyosis is routinely experimentally induced in mice through methods such as neonatal tamoxifen exposure, pituitary engraftment, and human tissue xenotransplantation. Several studies have also reported hormonal or environmental toxicant exposures that give rise to murine adenomyosis, and genetically engineered models have been created that recapitulate the human-like condition, most notably involving alteration of β-catenin expression. This review describes the animal models for adenomyosis and their contributions to our understanding of the factors underpinning the development of symptoms. Animal models represent a unique opportunity for understanding the molecular basis of adenomyosis and developing efficacious treatment options for affected women. Herein, we assess their different potentials and limitations with regard to identification of new therapeutic interventions and reflect on future directions for research and drug validation.

Epidemiology of Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis, characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma within the myometrium, can have a substantial impact on the quality of women's lives. Despite this, the epidemiologic research on this condition lags considerably behind that of other noncancerous reproductive health conditions. The lack of progress and knowledge is due in part to the challenges in designing valid epidemiologic studies, since the diagnosis of adenomyosis historically has been limited to the examination of uterine specimens from hysterectomy. This review describes the available data on the frequency of this condition and the epidemiologic investigation thus far into the risk factors for disease-highlighting the methodologic and inference challenges primarily around study sample selection. We conclude with providing recommendations for approaches to future epidemiologic study that capitalize on the advancements in imaging technology to detect adenomyosis and provide a fuller picture of the occurrence and risk factors for disease.

Ultrasound findings in infertile women with endometriosis: evidence of concomitant uterine disorders

Endometriosis is a gynecological disease characterized by pain and infertility. The diagnosis is very often made during the infertility work-up, together with other reproductive diseases and uterine disorders. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on infertile women with clinical or ultrasound suspect of endometriosis, undergoing an ultrasound (US) evaluation by a team of expert sonographers (n = 419), with the aim to evaluate the prevalence of concomitant uterine disorders. The US coexistence of endometriosis with uterine fibroids and/or adenomyosis was investigated according to three age intervals (<35years; 35 ≥ years <45; ≥45 years) and to endometriosis phenotypes: ovarian endometriosis (OMA), deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), or both. The US diagnosis of fibroids was made in 3.1% of cases, adenomyosis was found in 21.2%, and the co-existence of both uterine disorders with endometriosis was reported in 14.6% of patients. When analyzed according to age, patients aged >35 years were more likely to be affected by uterine fibroids (p = .003), adenomyosis (p = .030) and both adenomyosis and fibroids (p < .0001). No statistically significant association was found between endometriosis phenotypes and myometrial pathologies. Uterine disorders coexistence should be considered in the assessment of women with endometriosis, in order to better define a treatment strategy for infertility, especially in women older than 35 years.

Obesity does not alter endometrial gene expression in women with endometriosis

RESEARCH QUESTION

Does obesity affect endometrial gene expression in women with endometriosis, specifically women with stage I disease?

DESIGN

Differential gene expression analysis was conducted on endometrium from women with and without endometriosis (n = 169). Women were diagnosed after surgical visualization and staged according to the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine (stage I-IV). Women were grouped by body mass index (BMI) (kg/m²) as underweight, normal, pre-obese or obese. After accounting for menstrual cycle stage, endometrial gene expression was analysed by BMI (continuous and grouped) in women with endometriosis, and in non-endometriosis controls.

RESULTS

No significant interaction effect was found between BMI and endometriosis status on endometrial gene expression. We have previously reported that obese women with endometriosis have a reduced incidence of stage I disease; however, stratifying our analysis into stage I endometriosis versus combined II, III and IV endometriosis failed to reveal any differentially expressed endometrial genes between normal, pre-obese and obese patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite obesity having deleterious effects on endometrial gene expression in other gynaecological pathologies, e.g. endometrial cancer and polycystic ovary syndrome, our results do not support an association between BMI and altered endometrial gene expression in women with or without endometriosis.

Pathology and Pathogenesis of Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis represents a unique pathophysiological condition in which normal-appearing endometrial mucosa resides within myometrium and is thus protected from menstrual shedding. The resulting ectopic presence of endometrial tissue composed of glands and stroma is thought to affect normal contractile function and peristalsis of uterine smooth muscle, causing menometrorrhagia, infertility, and adverse obstetric outcomes. Since the first description of adenomyosis more than 150 years ago, pathologists have studied this lesion by examining tissue specimens, and have proposed multiple explanations to account for its pathogenesis. However, as compared with endometriosis, progress of adenomyosis research has been, at best, incremental mainly due to the lack of standardized protocols in sampling tissue and a lack of consensus diagnostic criteria in pathology practice. Despite these limitations, recent advances in revealing the detailed anatomy and biology of eutopic endometrium offer an unprecedented opportunity to study this common but relatively understudied disorder. Here, we briefly summarize the pathological aspects of adenomyosis from an historical background, and discuss conventional morphology and recent tissue-based molecular studies with a special emphasis on elucidating its tissue of origin from a pathologist's perspective. We also discuss unmet needs in pathology studies that would be important for advancing adenomyosis research.

Adenomyotic glands are highly related to endometrial glands

RESEARCH QUESTION

How closely related are adenomyotic and endometrial glands?

DESIGN

In this study, the mRNA and protein database www.proteinatlas.org was searched for proteins expressed predominantly in the endometrial glands. Specificity was tested with tissue microarrays. Biopsy specimens of endometrial, adenomyotic tissue, or both, were collected after surgery from 21 women without endometriosis, 20 women with endometriosis, 18 women with adenomyosis together with endometriosis and 12 women with adenomyosis alone. Tissue expression was analysed by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Two proteins were identified: calcyphosine (CAPS), and msh homeobox 1 (MSX1). A high abundance and good specificity in endometrial glands were found. Both proteins, CAPS and MSX1, showed a high specificity for endometrium and are both localized in the luminal cells and epithelial cells of the glandular and adenomyotic glands. No significant differences were found between CAPS- and MSX1-positive endometrial glands between cases with and without endometriosis. Also, no cycle-specific different expression was found. Furthermore, a close relationship between the adenomyotic glands and the endometrial glands for CAPS (range 63.0-98.3%) and for MSX1 (range 87.1-99.3%) could be demonstrated. Only 11.2% and 6.8% negative glands for CAPS and MSX1 were identified in all tissues from all patients, respectively; none were negative for both proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our results show that the protein expression pattern of adenomyosis is nearly identical to those of the endometrium with and without endometriosis, thus suggesting endometrial glands as the main source for adenomyotic glands.

Risk factors for postoperative recurrence of ovarian endometriosis: long-term follow-up of 358 women

Objective

To explore the risk factors for the recurrence of endometrioma and the risk factors for the recurrence of endometriosis-related pain after long-term follow-up.

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed 358 women with endometriomas who had a minimum of 5-years follow up after laparoscopic endometrioma excision, which was performed at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2009 to April 2013. All women were divided into recurrence group and nonrecurrence group. Analysis was performed with regard to preoperative history, laboratory analysis, findings during surgery, and symptoms during follow-up, including improvement and recurrence.

Results

The cumulative incidence rates of recurrence from 5 to 10 years after surgery were 15.4, 16.8, 19.3, 22.5, 22.5, and 22.5%, respectively. Significant differences were found between two groups in terms of age at surgery (RR: 0.764, 95% CI: 0.615–0.949, p = 0.015), duration of dysmenorrhea (RR: 1.120, 95% CI: 1.054–1.190, p < 0.001), presence of adenomyosis (RR: 1.629, 95% CI: 1.008–2.630, p = 0.046), CA125 level (RR: 1.856, 95% CI: 1.072–3.214, p = 0.021) and severity of dysmenorrhea. The severity of dysmenorrhea (RR: 1.711, 95% CI: 1.175–2.493, p = 0.005) and postoperative pregnancy (RR: 0.649, 95% CI: 0.460–0.914, p = 0.013) were significantly correlated with endometrioma recurrence in the multivariate analysis. No significant associations were found between the recurrence rate and gravida, parity, body mass index, infertility, leiomyoma presence, the size of ovarian endometrioma, the presence of deep infiltrating endometriosis, disease stage or postoperative medication.

Conclusions

The severity of dysmenorrhea and postoperative pregnancy were independent risk factors for the recurrence of ovarian endometriomas after surgery during the long-time follow up.