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Ding A, Noga H, Bouchard KN, Bedaiwy MA, Lee C, Allaire C, Orr NL, Yong PJ. Pain with orgasm in endometriosis: potential etiologic factors and clinical correlates. J Sex Med 2024; 21:807-815. [PMID: 39039031 DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdae084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pelvic pain worsened by orgasm is a poorly understood symptom in patients with endometriosis. AIM To assess the prevalence of pelvic pain worsened by orgasm in patients with endometriosis and explore its association with potential etiologic factors, including pelvic floor myalgia, uterine tenderness and adenomyosis, and central nervous system sensitization. METHODS An analysis was done of a prospective data registry based at a tertiary referral center for endometriosis. Eligible participants were patients aged 18 to 50 years who were referred between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019, diagnosed with endometriosis, and subsequently underwent surgery at the center. Clinical features were compared between participants reporting worsening pelvic pain with orgasm and those without worsening pain with orgasm, including patient-reported variables, physical examination findings, and anatomic phenotyping at the time of surgery. Pelvic floor myalgia and uterine tenderness were assessed by palpation on pelvic examination, adenomyosis by ultrasound, and central nervous system sensitization via the Central Sensitization Inventory (range, 0-100). OUTCOMES Outcomes included pelvic or lower abdominal pain in the last 3 months that worsened with orgasm (yes/no). RESULTS Among 358 participants with endometriosis, 14% (49/358) reported pain worsened by orgasm while 86% (309/358) did not. Pain with orgasm was significantly associated with pelvic floor myalgia (55% [27/49] vs 35% [109/309]; Cohen's h = 0.40, P = .01) and higher scores on the Central Sensitization Inventory (mean ± SD, 53.3 ± 17.0 vs 42.7 ± 18.2; Cohen's d = 0.60, P < .001) but not with uterine tenderness or adenomyosis. Other clinical features associated with pain with orgasm were poorer sexual health (higher scores: deep dyspareunia, Cohen's h = 0.60; superficial dyspareunia, Cohen's h = 0.34; and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised, Cohen's d = 0.68; all P < .05) and poorer mental health (higher scores: Patient Health Questionnaire-9, 12.9 ± 6.7 vs 9.1 ± 6.3, Cohen's d = 0.59, P < .001; Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, 9.4 ± 5.6 vs 6.8 ± 5.5, Cohen's d = 0.48, P = .002). Anatomic findings at the time of surgery did not significantly differ between the groups. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Interventions targeting pelvic floor myalgia and central nervous system sensitization may help alleviate pain worsened by orgasm in patients with endometriosis. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS A strength is that pain worsened by orgasm was differentiated from dyspareunia. However, pain with orgasm was assessed by only a binary question (yes/no). Also, the study is limited to a single center, and there were limited data on sexual function. CONCLUSION Pelvic pain exacerbated by orgasm in people with endometriosis may be related to concurrent pelvic floor myalgia and central sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avrilynn Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
| | - Heather Noga
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
- Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, BC Women's Hospital, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
| | - Katrina N Bouchard
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
| | - Mohamed A Bedaiwy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
- Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, BC Women's Hospital, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
| | - Caroline Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
- Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, BC Women's Hospital, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
| | - Catherine Allaire
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
- Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, BC Women's Hospital, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
| | - Natasha L Orr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
- Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, BC Women's Hospital, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
| | - Paul J Yong
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
- Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, BC Women's Hospital, Vancouver V5H 3N1, Canada
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Cuffaro F, Russo E, Amedei A. Endometriosis, Pain, and Related Psychological Disorders: Unveiling the Interplay among the Microbiome, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress as a Common Thread. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6473. [PMID: 38928175 PMCID: PMC11203696 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis (EM), a chronic condition in endometrial tissue outside the uterus, affects around 10% of reproductive-age women, significantly affecting fertility. Its prevalence remains elusive due to the surgical confirmation needed for diagnosis. Manifesting with a range of symptoms, including dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, dysuria, dyspareunia, fatigue, and gastrointestinal discomfort, EM significantly impairs quality of life due to severe chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Psychological manifestations, notably depression and anxiety, frequently accompany the physical symptoms, with CPP serving as a key mediator. Pain stems from endometrial lesions, involving oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, angiogenesis, and sensitization processes. Microbial dysbiosis appears to be crucial in the inflammatory mechanisms underlying EM and associated CPP, as well as psychological symptoms. In this scenario, dietary interventions and nutritional supplements could help manage EM symptoms by targeting inflammation, oxidative stress, and the microbiome. Our manuscript starts by delving into the complex relationship between EM pain and psychological comorbidities. It subsequently addresses the emerging roles of the microbiome, inflammation, and oxidative stress as common links among these abovementioned conditions. Furthermore, the review explores how dietary and nutritional interventions may influence the composition and function of the microbiome, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, alleviate pain, and potentially affect EM-associated psychological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cuffaro
- Division of Interdisciplinary Internal Medicine, Careggi University Hospital of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Edda Russo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), 50139 Florence, Italy
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Gong Y, Liu M, Zhang Q, Li J, Cai H, Ran J, Ma L, Ma Y, Quan S. Lysine acetyltransferase 14 mediates TGF-β-induced fibrosis in ovarian endometrioma via co-operation with serum response factor. J Transl Med 2024; 22:561. [PMID: 38867256 PMCID: PMC11167823 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05243-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrogenesis within ovarian endometrioma (endometrioma), mainly induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), is characterized by myofibroblast over-activation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, contributing to endometrioma-associated symptoms such as infertility by impairing ovarian reserve and oocyte quality. However, the precise molecular mechanisms that underpin the endometrioma- associated fibrosis progression induced by TGF-β remain poorly understood. METHODS The expression level of lysine acetyltransferase 14 (KAT14) was validated in endometrium biopsies from patients with endometrioma and healthy controls, and the transcription level of KAT14 was further confirmed by analyzing a published single-cell transcriptome (scRNA-seq) dataset of endometriosis. We used overexpression, knockout, and knockdown approaches in immortalized human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) or human primary ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EcESCs) to determine the role of KAT14 in TGF-β-induced fibrosis. Furthermore, an adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying KAT14-shRNA was used in an endometriosis mice model to assess the role of KAT14 in vivo. RESULTS KAT14 was upregulated in ectopic lesions from endometrioma patients and predominantly expressed in activated fibroblasts. In vitro studies showed that KAT14 overexpression significantly promoted a TGF-β-induced profibrotic response in endometrial stromal cells, while KAT14 silencing showed adverse effects that could be rescued by KAT14 re-enhancement. In vivo, Kat14 knockdown ameliorated fibrosis in the ectopic lesions of the endometriosis mouse model. Mechanistically, we showed that KAT14 directly interacted with serum response factor (SRF) to promote the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) by increasing histone H4 acetylation at promoter regions; this is necessary for TGF-β-induced ECM production and myofibroblast differentiation. In addition, the knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of SRF significantly attenuated KAT14-mediating profibrotic effects under TGF-β treatment. Notably, the KAT14/SRF complex was abundant in endometrioma samples and positively correlated with α-SMA expression, further supporting the key role of KAT14/SRF complex in the progression of endometrioma-associated fibrogenesis. CONCLUSION Our results shed light on KAT14 as a key effector of TGF-β-induced ECM production and myofibroblast differentiation in EcESCs by promoting histone H4 acetylation via co-operating with SRF, representing a potential therapeutic target for endometrioma-associated fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Gong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hainan Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, 54-1 LongHua road, Haikou, Hainan, 570100, China
| | - Mian Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hainan Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, 54-1 LongHua road, Haikou, Hainan, 570100, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- Dongguan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Postdoctoral Innovation Practice Base of Southern Medical University, Dongguan, 523001, China
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Jinjing Li
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hainan Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, 54-1 LongHua road, Haikou, Hainan, 570100, China
| | - Hong Cai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Jing Ran
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Linna Ma
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hainan Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, 54-1 LongHua road, Haikou, Hainan, 570100, China
| | - Yanlin Ma
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Diseases Research and Translation, Ministry of Education, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hainan Medical University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, 54-1 LongHua road, Haikou, Hainan, 570100, China.
| | - Song Quan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China.
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Jännebring J, Liv P, Knuts M, Idahl A. Impact of patient-reported salpingitis on the outcome of hysterectomy and adnexal surgery: A national register-based cohort study in Sweden. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2024; 103:1153-1164. [PMID: 38358021 PMCID: PMC11103142 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Salpingitis is caused by ascending microbes from the lower reproductive tract and contributes to tubal factor infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. The aim of this study was to analyze if the risk for complications and dissatisfaction after hysterectomy and adnexal surgery was increased in women reporting previous salpingitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is an observational cohort study including women undergoing gynecologic surgery from 1997 to 2020, registered in the Swedish National Quality Register of Gynecologic Surgery (GynOp). Patient-reported previous salpingitis was the exposure. Complications up to 8 weeks and satisfaction at 1 year postoperatively were the outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression and ordinal regression were performed. Results were adjusted for potential confounders including age, body mass index, smoking and year of procedure as well as endometriosis and previous abdominal surgery. Multiple imputation was used to handle missing data. RESULTS In this study, 61 222 women were included, of whom 5636 (9.2%) women reported a previous salpingitis. There was an increased risk for women reporting previous salpingitis in both the unadjusted and fully adjusted models to have complications within 8 weeks of surgery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-1.32). The highest odds ratios were found for bowel injury (aOR 1.62, 95% CI 1.29-2.03), bladder injury (aOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.23-1.58), and postoperative pain (aOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.22-1.54). Women exposed to salpingitis were also more likely to report a lower level of satisfaction 1 year after surgery compared with unexposed women (aOR 0.87, 95% CI 0.81-0.92). CONCLUSIONS Self-reported salpingitis appears to be a risk factor for complications and dissatisfaction after gynecologic surgery. This implies that known previous salpingitis should be included in the risk assessment before gynecologic procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josefin Jännebring
- Department of Clinical SciencesObstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Per Liv
- Department of Public Health and Clinical MedicineUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Malin Knuts
- Department of Clinical SciencesObstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Annika Idahl
- Department of Clinical SciencesObstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå UniversityUmeåSweden
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Schofield E, Sussex R, Crotti T, Evans S. Using language to identify a bladder pain component in women with Dysmenorrhoea-Related Pelvic Pain: A cross-sectional study. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2024. [PMID: 38803121 DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysmenorrhoea-Related Pelvic Pain (DRPP) is a common condition, which may or may not include bladder-related symptoms. Primary health care practitioners (PHCP) rely heavily on language for diagnosis of DRPP-related conditions. However, there are no established pain descriptors to assist PHCP to determine whether an individual's DRPP may include a bladder component. AIMS To identify differences in the use of pain descriptors in women with DRPP with and without a co-existing bladder pain component, through an exploratory study of the language of pelvic pain in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional online survey of Australian and New Zealand women (n = 750, ages 18-49) who have self-identified pelvic pain. Free text and predetermined pain descriptors used by women with a self-perceived bladder pain component (DRPPB+, n = 468) were compared to those without bladder pain (DRPPB-, n = 282). Statistical analysis included Pearson χ2, logistic regression and analysis of variance tests using StataCorp Stata Statistical Software combined with qualitative data from AntConc concordance software. RESULTS Within free-form text, bloating (P = 0.014) and pressure (P = 0.031) were used more commonly to describe dysmenorrhoea in women with DRPPB+, while the word excruciating (P < 0.001) was more commonly used by women with DRPPB-. From a pre-determined list of descriptors, pounding (P < 0.001), tingling (P < 0.001), stabbing (P = 0.010), burning (P = 0.002) and cramping (P = 0.021) were more commonly used by women with DRPPB+, than women with DRPPB-. CONCLUSIONS Systematic patterns of word use should encourage practitioners to further enquire about bladder symptoms that may co-exist with dysmenorrhoea. Knowledge of these words may be useful in targeting diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Schofield
- School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Roland Sussex
- Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation, School of Languages and Cultures, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tania Crotti
- School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Susan Evans
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Mokhtari T, Irandoost E, Sheikhbahaei F. Stress, pain, anxiety, and depression in endometriosis-Targeting glial activation and inflammation. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 132:111942. [PMID: 38565045 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Endometriosis (EM) is a gynecological inflammatory disease often accompanied by stress, chronic pelvic pain (CPP), anxiety, and depression, leading to a diminished quality of life. This review aims to discuss the relationship between systemic and local inflammatory responses in the central nervous system (CNS), focusing on glial dysfunctions (astrocytes and microglia) as in critical brain regions involved in emotion, cognition, pain processing, anxiety, and depression. The review presents that EM is connected to increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the circulation. Additionally, chronic stress and CPP as stressors may contribute to the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, depleting the production of inflammatory mediators in the circulatory system and the brain. The systemic cytokines cause blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, activate microglia in the brain, and lead to neuroinflammation. Furthermore, CPP may induce neuronal morphological alterations in critical regions through central sensitization and the activation of glial cells. The activation of glial cells, particularly the polarization of microglia, leads to the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines. These inflammatory cytokines interact with the signaling pathways involved in neural plasticity. Additionally, persistent inflammatory conditions in the brain lead to neuronal death, which is correlated with a reduced volume of key brain regions such as the hippocampus. This review highlights the involvement of glial cells in the pathogenesis of the mental comorbidities of EM (i.e., pain, anxiety, and depression) and to discuss potential therapeutic approaches for targeting the inflammation and activation of microglia in key brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahmineh Mokhtari
- Department of Pharmacology, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China; Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Elnaz Irandoost
- Sarem Women's Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Fatemeh Sheikhbahaei
- Department of Anatomy, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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Hearn-Yeates F, Horne AW, O’Mahony SM, Saunders PTK. The impact of the microbiota-gut-brain axis on endometriosis-associated symptoms: mechanisms and opportunities for personalised management strategies. REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY 2024; 5:RAF-23-0085. [PMID: 38739749 PMCID: PMC11227073 DOI: 10.1530/raf-23-0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting one in 10 women and those assigned female at birth, defined by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. It is commonly associated with pain, infertility, and mood disorders, and often comorbid with other chronic pain conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Recent research has identified a key role for the microbiota-gut-brain axis in health and a range of inflammatory and neurological disorders, prompting an exploration of its potential mechanistic role in endometriosis. Increased awareness of the impact of the gut microbiota within the patient community, combined with the often-detrimental side effects of current therapies, has motivated many to utilise self-management strategies, such as dietary modification and supplements, despite a lack of robust clinical evidence. Current research has characterised the gut microbiota in endometriosis patients and animal models. However, small cohorts and differing methodology has resulted in little consensus in the data. In this narrative review, we summarise research studies that have investigated the role of gut microbiota and their metabolic products in the development and progression of endometriosis lesions, before summarising insights from research into co-morbid conditions and discussing the reported impact of self-management strategies on symptoms of endometriosis. Finally, we suggest ways in which this promising field of research could be expanded to explore the role of specific bacteria, improve access to 'microbial' phenotyping, and to develop personalised patient advice for reduction of symptoms such as chronic pain and bloating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Hearn-Yeates
- EXPPECT Edinburgh and Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew W Horne
- EXPPECT Edinburgh and Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Siobhain M O’Mahony
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Philippa T K Saunders
- EXPPECT Edinburgh and Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Edinburgh, UK
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Guare L, Humphrey LA, Rush M, Pollie M, Luo Y, Weng C, Wei WQ, Kottyan L, Jarvik G, Elhadad N, Zondervan K, Missmer S, Vujkovic M, Velez-Edwards D, Senapati S, Setia-Verma S. Enhancing Genetic Association Power in Endometriosis through Unsupervised Clustering of Clinical Subtypes Identified from Electronic Health Records. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.04.22.24306092. [PMID: 38712122 PMCID: PMC11071578 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.22.24306092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Background Endometriosis affects 10% of reproductive-age women, and yet, it goes undiagnosed for 3.6 years on average after symptoms onset. Despite large GWAS meta-analyses (N > 750,000), only a few dozen causal loci have been identified. We hypothesized that the challenges in identifying causal genes for endometriosis stem from heterogeneity across clinical and biological factors underlying endometriosis diagnosis. Methods We extracted known endometriosis risk factors, symptoms, and concomitant conditions from the Penn Medicine Biobank (PMBB) and performed unsupervised spectral clustering on 4,078 women with endometriosis. The 5 clusters were characterized by utilizing additional electronic health record (EHR) variables, such as endometriosis-related comorbidities and confirmed surgical phenotypes. From four EHR-linked genetic datasets, PMBB, eMERGE, AOU, and UKBB, we extracted lead variants and tag variants 39 known endometriosis loci for association testing. We meta-analyzed ancestry-stratified case/control tests for each locus and cluster in addition to a positive control (Total N endometriosis cases = 10,108). Results We have designated the five subtype clusters as pain comorbidities, uterine disorders, pregnancy complications, cardiometabolic comorbidities, and EHR-asymptomatic based on enriched features from each group. One locus, RNLS , surpassed the genome-wide significant threshold in the positive control. Thirteen more loci reached a Bonferroni threshold of 1.3 x 10 -3 (0.05 / 39) in the positive control. The cluster-stratified tests yielded more significant associations than the positive control for anywhere from 5 to 15 loci depending on the cluster. Bonferroni significant loci were identified for four out of five clusters, including WNT4 and GREB1 for the uterine disorders cluster, RNLS for the cardiometabolic cluster, FSHB for the pregnancy complications cluster, and SYNE1 and CDKN2B-AS1 for the EHR-asymptomatic cluster. This study enhances our understanding of the clinical presentation patterns of endometriosis subtypes, showcasing the innovative approach employed to investigate this complex disease.
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Heresco L, Schonman R, Weitzner O, Cohen G, Schreiber H, Daykan Y, Klein Z, Kovo M, Yagur Y. Pain perception and analgesic use after cesarean delivery among women with endometriosis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2024; 294:71-75. [PMID: 38218161 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with endometriosis are known to have altered pain perceptions. Cesarean delivery (CD) is one of the most prevalent surgeries performed worldwide. Appropriate pain control following CD is clinically important to the recovery and relief of patients. This study assessed pain perception and analgesic use after CD among women with or without endometriosis. METHODS This retrospective case control study included women diagnosed with endometriosis, based on clinical or surgical findings, who underwent CD from 2014 to 2022. Controls were matched to the study group by maternal age, BMI (kg/m2), parity, number of previous CDs and by CD indication, in a 2:1 ratio. Post-operative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, on each post-operative day (POD) were compared between groups. Pain intensity was measured and compared using the VAS, range 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain). The standard pain relief analgesia protocol in our department includes fixed oral treatment with paracetamol and diclofenac, with the addition of morphine sulphate on POD 0. Analgesic dosages used and the percentage of patients not using the full standard analgesic protocol were compared between groups. RESULTS As compared to controls (n = 142), the endometriosis group (n = 71) was characterized by higher rates of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies and previous abdominal surgeries other than CD (p < .001 for both). Other maternal characteristics between groups did not differ. On POD 0, mean morphine dosage was significantly higher in the endometriosis group compared to the control group (24 mg vs. 22.8 mg, respectively; p = .044). More patients in the endometriosis group used the full standard analgesia protocol or more, as compared to controls. VAS scores were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS Increased use of analgesics after CD was more common among women with endometriosis. These findings imply that pain relief protocols should be personalized for women with endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior Heresco
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Ron Schonman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Omer Weitzner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gal Cohen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hanoch Schreiber
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yair Daykan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Zvi Klein
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michal Kovo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Yagur
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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10
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Metzler JM, Imesch P, Dietrich H, Knobel C, Portmann L, Neumeier MS, Merki-Feld GS. Impact of family history for endometriosis, migraine, depression and early menopause on endometriosis symptoms, localization and stage: A case control study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2024; 293:36-43. [PMID: 38103542 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Endometriosis is a common disabling pain condition in women of childbearing age, frequently showing familial clustering. Nevertheless, little is known about whether familial predispositions influence its severity or presentation. In this study, we investigate disease characteristics in endometriosis patients with a family history (FH) for endometriosis or the comorbidities migraine, depression and early menopause (EMP). MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed an observational case-control study enrolling women with histologically confirmed endometriosis in a tertiary center. Based on surgical findings, patient records and phone interviews, we examined the relations between a FH for endometriosis, migraine, depression or EMP and endometriotic signs and symptoms, such as response to combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC) and analgesics, disease localization, infiltration depth, Enzian- and rASRM-scores. RESULTS A positive FH for endometriosis, migraine, depression or EMP was reported by 10.2 %, 33.4 %, 32.6 % and 9.9 % of the 344 patients. A positive FH of endometriosis was associated with an increased risk for high rASRM-scores (rASRM 3 + 4: OR 2.74 (95 % CI 1.16-6.49), p = 0.017) and the presence of endometriomas (OR 2.70 (1.22-5.95), p = 0.011). A positive FH for migraine was associated with less response of endometriosis symptoms to CHC (OR 0.469 (0.27-0.82) p = 0.025). Depression in the family was linked to less severe rASRM-scores (rASRM 3 + 4: OR 0.63 (0.39-0.99), p = 0.046) and less endometriomas (OR 0.58 (0.67-0.92), p = 0.02), but increased the risk of both migraine (OR 1.66 (1.01-2.73), p = 0.043) and depression (OR 3.04 (1.89-4.89), p < 0.001) while showing a better response to CHC (OR 2.0 (1.15-3.48, p < 0.001). Patients with EMP in their family reported more current endometriosis symptoms at present (OR 3.72 (1.67-8.30), p = 0.001), more dysmenorrhea (OR 2.13 (1.04-4.35), p = 0.037), more frequent severe dysmenorrhea (OR 2.32 (1.14-4.74), p = 0.019) and suffered significantly more often > 5 days of non-cyclic pain (OR 3.58 (1.72-7.44), p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Around 30% reported a positive FH for migraine or depression. Patients with a positive FH for endometriosis, migraine, depression or EMP differ in symptoms and surgical findings when compared to controls. While a FH for endometriosis is associated with higher rASRM scores and more endometriomas, women with a FH for depression had lower rASRM scores and less endometriomas while responding better to CHC. In contrast, women with a FH for migraine showed less response to CHC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick Imesch
- Department of Gynecology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hanna Dietrich
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Knobel
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lea Portmann
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maria S Neumeier
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
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Deng J, Liang J, Cao Y, Tong X, Li H. CCL2- and Notch2-mediated Central Sensitization in a Rat Chronic Pelvic Pain Model. In Vivo 2024; 38:205-212. [PMID: 38148075 PMCID: PMC10756441 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common gynecological condition in women with multifactorial etiology. Some studies have revealed that patients with CPP have the same structural and functional changes in the pain matrix in the brain to patients with other types of chronic pain. However, the relationship between localized pelvic pain and changes in the structure and function of the central nervous system is still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, a rat model of CPP was established by pelvic nerve ligation and behavioral tests were used to validate the model. Afterwards, we compared the expression of CCL2 in CPP and control rats and observed the changes in their behavioral patterns by blocking the expression of CCL2 in the former group. In addition, we upregulated the expression of CCL2 in human microglia cells (HMC3) to further observe the effect of CCL2 on the Notch2 pathway. RESULTS Our results showed that the expression of chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in the serum exosomes, pelvic vascular endothelial cells, and cerebrospinal fluid was higher in the CPP group than the control group (p<0.05). In HMC3 treated with recombinant CCL2 protein, a significant increase in the mRNA and protein expression of Notch2 was observed. CONCLUSION CCL2 can activate the Notch2 signaling pathway and plays an important role in the central sensitization of chronic pelvic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Deng
- Institute of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Junhua Liang
- Institute of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yungui Cao
- Institute of Gynecology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Jiading district, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xiaowen Tong
- Institute of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, P.R. China;
| | - Huaifang Li
- Institute of Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, P.R. China;
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12
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Zoet G, Tucker DR, Orr NL, Alotaibi FT, Liu YD, Noga H, Köbel M, Yong PJ. Standardized protocol for quantification of nerve bundle density as a biomarker for endometriosis. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2023; 5:1297986. [PMID: 38098984 PMCID: PMC10720898 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2023.1297986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction We propose a standardized protocol for measurement of nerve bundle density in endometriosis as a potential biomarker, including in deep endometriosis (DE), ovarian endometriomas (OMA) and superficial peritoneal endometriosis (SUP). Methods This was a prospective cohort of surgically excised endometriosis samples from Dec 1st 2013 and Dec 31st 2017 at a tertiary referral center for endometriosis in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Surgical data were available from linked patient registry. Protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) was used to identify nerve bundles on immunohistochemistry. PGP9.5 nerve bundles were counted visually. To calculate nerve bundle density, PGP9.5 nerve bundle count was divided by the tissue surface area (total on the slide). All samples were assessed using NHS Elements software for semi-automated measurement of the tissue surface area. For a subset of samples, high power fields (HPFs) were also counted as manual measurement of the tissue surface area. Intraclass correlation was used to assess intra observer and inter observer reliability. Generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) with random intercepts only was conducted to assess differences in PGP9.5 nerve bundle density by endometriosis type (DE, OMA, SUP). Results In total, 236 tissue samples out of 121 participants were available for analysis in the current study. Semi-automated surface area measurement could be performed in 94.5% of the samples and showed good correlation with manually counted HPFs (Spearman's rho = 0.781, p < 0.001). To assess intra observer reliability, 11 samples were assessed twice by the same observer; to assess inter observer reliability, 11 random samples were blindly assessed by two observers. Intra observer reliability and inter observer reliability for nerve bundle density were excellent: 0.979 and 0.985, respectively. PGP9.5 nerve bundle density varied among samples and no nerve bundles could be found in 24.6% of the samples. GLMM showed a significant difference in PGP9.5 nerve bundle density between the different endometriosis types (X2 = 87.6, P < 0.001 after adjusting for hormonal therapy, with higher density in DE and SUP in comparison to OMA). Conclusion A standardized protocol is presented to measure PGP9.5 nerve bundle density in endometriosis, which may serve as a biomarker reflecting local neurogenesis in the endometriosis microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerbrand Zoet
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Dwayne R. Tucker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Natasha L. Orr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Fahad T. Alotaibi
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yang Doris Liu
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Heather Noga
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Martin Köbel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Paul J. Yong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- University of British Columbia Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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13
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Gete DG, Doust J, Mortlock S, Montgomery G, Mishra GD. Associations between endometriosis and common symptoms: findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 229:536.e1-536.e20. [PMID: 37499990 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.07.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endometriosis has been linked to higher rates of a variety of symptoms; however, the findings from longitudinal studies are scarce and inconsistent. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the association between endometriosis and common symptoms in a prospective cohort study. STUDY DESIGN This study included 7606 women born from 1973 to 1978 using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health that were collected every 3 years from 2009 to 2018. We identified women with endometriosis based on self-reported incidence from each survey and linked administrative health data. At each survey, women also completed a checklist on the presence of 24 symptoms. Generalized estimating equations for multinomial responses were used for analyses. RESULTS Women with endometriosis had significantly more menstrual symptoms than those without endometriosis with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 3.61 (3.11-4.19) for severe period pain, 2.40 (2.10-2.74) for heavy menstrual bleeding, 1.76 (1.52-2.03) for irregular bleeding, and 1.52 (1.32-1.76) for premenstrual tension. They also had higher odds of mental health problems with adjusted odds ratios of 1.67 (1.39-2.01) for depression and 1.59 (1.24-2.03) for anxiety and higher odds of allergies and nonspecific symptoms with adjusted odds of 1.62 (1.40-1.89) for allergies or hay fever or sinusitis, 1.79 (1.56-2.05) for severe tiredness, 1.56 (1.35-1.81) for sleep difficulty, and 1.77 (1.37-2.18) for palpitations. There was also a strong association with other forms of pain with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.76 (1.53-2.04) for backpain, 1.50 (1.29-1.74) for headaches or migraines, and 1.65 (1.41-1.93) for stiff or painful joints. Women with endometriosis also had increased odds of developing bowel and urinary symptoms with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.67 (1.35-2.08) for constipation, 1.46 (1.12-1.90) for hemorrhoids or piles, 1.25 (1.03-1.52) for indigestion or heartburn, 2.80 (1.71-4.58) for urine burn or stings, and 1.37 (1.03-1.82) for vaginal discharge or irritation. The association between each symptom and endometriosis was similar whether endometriosis was surgically confirmed or clinically suspected. No association was found between endometriosis and the risk for skin problems, leaking urine, or breathing difficulty. CONCLUSION This study suggests that women with endometriosis are more likely to report not only menstrual symptoms but are also at an increased risk for mental health problems, other pain symptoms, bowel and urinary symptoms, and nonspecific symptoms, such as severe tiredness and difficulty sleeping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dereje G Gete
- Australian Woman and Girls' Health Research Centre, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jenny Doust
- Australian Woman and Girls' Health Research Centre, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sally Mortlock
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Grant Montgomery
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gita D Mishra
- Australian Woman and Girls' Health Research Centre, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Till SR, Schrepf A, Clauw DJ, Harte SE, Williams DA, As-Sanie S. Association Between Nociplastic Pain and Pain Severity and Impact in Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2023; 24:1406-1414. [PMID: 36958459 PMCID: PMC10511662 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the relationship between nociplastic pain and the severity and impact of pelvic pain symptoms could lend insight into the heterogeneous symptom presentation and treatment response that complicates management of chronic pelvic pain. In this prospective cross-sectional study, we sought to evaluate relationships between degree of nociplastic pain, measured by the Fibromyalgia (FM) Survey Score, and multiple aspects of the chronic pelvic pain (CPP) experience, including severity, frequency, tenderness during pelvic myofascial exam, interference with daily life, and high-impact pain. The study included 303 women who presented to a tertiary referral clinic for chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis. Multiple measures of pelvic pain, including pain severity, frequency, interference, pelvic myofascial pain, and high-impact pain were examined in General Linear Models with FM Survey Score as the primary predictor of interest in models controlling for endometriosis, surgical history, use of opioids, body mass index, and patient age. Higher level of nociplastic pain was associated with greater pelvic pain severity, frequency, interference, and pelvic myofascial pain (all P < .05). For all models, degree of nociplastic pain was more strongly associated with pain outcomes than the presence of endometriosis, and use of opioids was the only stronger predictor of worse pain outcomes. The likelihood of high impact pain increased 7% for each additional point on the FM Survey Score. Degree of nociplastic pain was robustly associated with severity, frequency, and impact of pelvic pain, and was independent of the presence of endometriosis, history of surgical procedures for pelvic pain, age, and BMI. Trial registration: not applicable PERSPECTIVE: This article evaluates the impact of nociplastic pain on symptoms and functional status in chronic pelvic pain. These findings raise the possibility that a simple screening tool for nociplastic pain might provide clinically actionable information without the need for deep neurobiological phenotyping and may inform development of personalized management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Till
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan..
| | - Andrew Schrepf
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Daniel J Clauw
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Steven E Harte
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - David A Williams
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Sawsan As-Sanie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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15
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Pasquini B, Seravalli V, Vannuccini S, La Torre F, Geppetti P, Iannone L, Benemei S, Petraglia F. Endometriosis and the diagnosis of different forms of migraine: an association with dysmenorrhoea. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 47:71-76. [PMID: 37202318 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Women with endometriosis are frequently affected by headache. How many of these have a clear diagnosis of migraine? Are the different forms of migraine related to the phenotypes and/or characteristics of endometriosis? DESIGN This was a prospective nested case-control study. A consecutive series of 131 women with endometriosis who attended the endometriosis clinic were enrolled and examined for the presence of headache. A headache questionnaire was used to determine the characteristics of the headaches, and the diagnosis of migraine was confirmed by a specialist. The case group included women with endometriosis and a diagnosis of migraine, while the control group included women with only endometriosis. History, symptoms and other comorbidities were collected. A pelvic pain score and associated symptoms were assessed using a visual analogue scale. RESULTS A diagnosis of migraine was made in 53.4% (70/131) of participants. Pure menstrual migraine was reported by 18.6% (13/70), menstrually related migraine by 45.7% (32/70) and non-menstrual migraine by 35.7% (25/70). Dysmenorrhoea and dysuria were significantly more frequent in patients with endometriosis and migraine than in those without migraine (P = 0.03 and P = 0.01). No difference was found for other variables, including age at diagnosis and duration of endometriosis, endometriosis phenotype, the presence of other autoimmune comorbidities or heavy menstrual bleeding. In most patients with migraine (85.7%) the headache symptoms had started years before the diagnosis of endometriosis. CONCLUSION The occurrence of headache in many patients with endometriosis is associated with the presence of different forms of migraine, is related to pain symptoms and often precedes the diagnosis of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Pasquini
- Headache Centre and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Viola Seravalli
- Department of Health Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
| | - Silvia Vannuccini
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco La Torre
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Geppetti
- Headache Centre and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy; Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Luigi Iannone
- Headache Centre and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy; Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Benemei
- Headache Centre and Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
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16
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Demetriou L, Krassowski M, Abreu Mendes P, Garbutt K, Vitonis AF, Wilkins E, Coxon L, Arendt-Nielsen L, Aziz Q, Birch J, Horne AW, Hoffman A, Hummelshoj L, Lunde CE, Meijlink J, Perro D, Rahmioglu N, Terry KL, Pogatzki-Zahn E, Sieberg CB, Treede RD, Becker CM, Cruz F, Missmer SA, Zondervan KT, Nagel J, Vincent K. Clinical profiling of specific diagnostic subgroups of women with chronic pelvic pain. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2023; 5:1140857. [PMID: 37325239 PMCID: PMC10266100 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2023.1140857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common condition affecting up to 26.6% of women, with many suffering for several years before diagnosis and/or treatment. Its clinical presentation is varied and there are frequently comorbid conditions both within and outside the pelvis. We aim to explore whether specific subgroups of women with CPP report different clinical symptoms and differing impact of pain on their quality of life (QoL). Methods The study is part of the Translational Research in Pelvic Pain (TRiPP) project which is a cross-sectional observational cohort study. The study includes 769 female participants of reproductive age who completed an extensive set of questions derived from standardised WERF EPHect questionnaires. Within this population we defined a control group (reporting no pelvic pain, no bladder pain syndrome, and no endometriosis diagnosis, N = 230) and four pain groups: endometriosis-associated pain (EAP, N = 237), interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (BPS, N = 72), comorbid endometriosis-associated pain and BPS (EABP, N = 120), and pelvic pain only (PP, N = 127). Results Clinical profiles of women with CPP (13-50 years old) show variability of clinical symptoms. The EAP and EABP groups scored higher than the PP group (p < 0.001) on the pain intensity scales for non-cyclical pelvic pain and higher than both the BPS and PP groups (p < 0.001) on the dysmenorrhoea scale. The EABP group also had significantly higher scores for dyspareunia (p < 0.001), even though more than 50% of sexually active participants in each pain group reported interrupting and/or avoiding sexual intercourse due to pain in the last 12 months. Scores for the QoL questionnaire (SF-36) reveal that CPP patients had significantly lower QoL across all SF-36 subscales (p < 0.001). Significant effects were also observed between the pain groups for pain interference with their work (p < 0.001) and daily lives (p < 0.001), with the EABP suffering more compared to the EAP and PP groups (p < 0.001). Discussion Our results demonstrate the negative impact that chronic pain has on CPP patients' QoL and reveal an increased negative impact of pain on the comorbid EABP group. Furthermore, it demonstrates the importance of dyspareunia in women with CPP. Overall, our results demonstrate the need for further exploration of interventions targeting QoL more broadly and suggest that novel approaches to classifying women with CPP are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lysia Demetriou
- Oxford Endometriosis Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michal Krassowski
- Oxford Endometriosis Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Pedro Abreu Mendes
- IBMC/I3S and Faculty of Medicine of Porto, Hospital S João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Kurtis Garbutt
- Oxford Endometriosis Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Allison F. Vitonis
- Boston Center for Endometriosis, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Wilkins
- Oxford Endometriosis Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lydia Coxon
- Oxford Endometriosis Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lars Arendt-Nielsen
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, School of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Mech-Sense, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Qasim Aziz
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Wingate Institute of Neurogastroenterology, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Judy Birch
- Pelvic Pain Support Network, Poole, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew W. Horne
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Anja Hoffman
- Research & Development, Pharmaceuticals Experimental Medicine, Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Claire E. Lunde
- Oxford Endometriosis Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Biobehavioral Pain Innovations Lab, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Pain and Affective Neuroscience Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, & Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, London, United States
| | - Jane Meijlink
- International Painful Bladder Foundation, Naarden, Netherlands
| | - Danielle Perro
- Oxford Endometriosis Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nilufer Rahmioglu
- Oxford Endometriosis Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn L. Terry
- Boston Center for Endometriosis, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Esther Pogatzki-Zahn
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Christine B. Sieberg
- Biobehavioral Pain Innovations Lab, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Pain and Affective Neuroscience Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, & Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, London, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rolf-Detlef Treede
- Department of Neurophysiology, Mannheim Center for Translational Neuroscience (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christian M. Becker
- Oxford Endometriosis Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Francisco Cruz
- IBMC/I3S and Faculty of Medicine of Porto, Hospital S João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Stacey A. Missmer
- Boston Center for Endometriosis, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain (CNAP), SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, School of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology; College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Krina T. Zondervan
- Oxford Endometriosis Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jens Nagel
- Pharmaceuticals Division, Research and Early Development, Therapeutic Area Endocrinology, Metabolism and Reproductive Health, Exploratory Pathobiology, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Katy Vincent
- Oxford Endometriosis Centre, Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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17
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Kaftan BT. [Somatoform disorders-chronic pelvic pain in women]. UROLOGIE (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023:10.1007/s00120-023-02087-4. [PMID: 37145155 DOI: 10.1007/s00120-023-02087-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Pelvic pain in women is a clinically common symptom and a frequent finding in general practitioner, urological, gynecological, and pediatric practice. The list of possible differential diagnoses is long and the clarification ranges from a visual diagnosis to technical and surgical examinations to complex interdisciplinary consultations. But when do we talk about chronic lower abdominal pain? What can be the cause of this and how can we approach it diagnostically and therapeutically? What should we pay attention to? The difficulty begins with the definition. If we look at the national and international guidelines and publications, we find different definitions for chronic pelvic pain. There are various causes of chronic pelvic pain. There is often a combination of physical and psychological factors, which is why it is often not possible to identify a single diagnosis behind chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The clarification of these complaints requires a biopsychosocial approach. Multimodal approaches should be considered in assessment and treatment, and experts from other disciplines should be consulted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Theodor Kaftan
- Zentrum für Interstitielle Zystitis und Beckenschmerz (IC/BPS), Städtisches Klinikum Lüneburg gGmbH, Bögelstr. 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Deutschland.
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18
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Wójcik M, Goździewicz T, Hudáková Z, Siatkowski I. Endometriosis and the Temporomandibular Joint-Preliminary Observations. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12082862. [PMID: 37109199 PMCID: PMC10144081 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12082862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The complete picture of the disease is not fully recognized and extends far beyond the pelvis. The disease's impacts lead to systemic inflammation, in turn resulting in sensitization to pain. The aim of this study was to check whether statistical correlations exist in women with endometriosis with regard to their experience of pain: headache, pelvic pain, temporomandibular joint pain, along with teeth clenching and the treatment of the disease. We constructed contingency tables, followed by Pearson's chi-square test and Cramer's V coefficient values. (2) Methods: A survey was conducted among 128 women aged 33.43 ± 5.79 with a diagnosis of endometriosis (disease duration 6.40 ± 5.88 years). (3) Results: There was a correlation between the occurrence of pain on the right and left sides of the pelvis and pain on the right and left sides of the temporomandibular joint, p-value = 0.0397, V = 0.2350, and between the presence of pelvic pain and the treatment of endometriosis, p-value = 0.0104, V = 0.3709, and between the presence of pain outside the pelvis and the treatment of endometriosis, p-value = 0.0311, V = 0.4549. There was a highly significant correlation between teeth clenching and temporomandibular joint pain, p-value = 0.0005, V = 0.3695. (4) Conclusions: The study revealed a correlation between pelvic endometriosis symptoms and symptoms in the temporomandibular joint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Wójcik
- Department of Physiotherapy, Poznan University of Physical Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences in Gorzow Wlkp., 61-871 Poznan, Poland
| | - Tomasz Goździewicz
- Department of Perinatology and Gynecology, Division of Gynecology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-758 Poznan, Poland
| | - Zuzana Hudáková
- Faculty of Health, Catholic University, 034 01 Ružomberok, Slovakia
- College of Polytechnics, 586 01 Jihlava, Czech Republic
- SNP Central Military Hospital, Faculty Hospital, 034 01 Ružomberok, Slovakia
| | - Idzi Siatkowski
- Department of Mathematical and Statistical Methods, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznan, Poland
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19
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Allaire
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia; BC Women's Centre for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, Vancouver, BC
| | - Mohamed A Bedaiwy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia; BC Women's Centre for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, Vancouver, BC
| | - Paul J Yong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia; BC Women's Centre for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis, Vancouver, BC
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20
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Bashir ST, Redden CR, Raj K, Arcanjo RB, Stasiak S, Li Q, Steelman AJ, Nowak RA. Endometriosis leads to central nervous system-wide glial activation in a mouse model of endometriosis. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:59. [PMID: 36879305 PMCID: PMC9987089 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02713-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common symptom of endometriosis. Women with endometriosis are also at a high risk of suffering from anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders. Recent studies indicate that endometriosis can affect the central nervous system (CNS). Changes in the functional activity of neurons, functional magnetic resonance imaging signals, and gene expression have been reported in the brains of rat and mouse models of endometriosis. The majority of the studies thus far have focused on neuronal changes, whereas changes in the glial cells in different brain regions have not been studied. METHODS Endometriosis was induced in female mice (45-day-old; n = 6-11/timepoint) by syngeneic transfer of donor uterine tissue into the peritoneal cavity of recipient animals. Brains, spines, and endometriotic lesions were collected for analysis at 4, 8, 16, and 32 days post-induction. Sham surgery mice were used as controls (n = 6/timepoint). The pain was assessed using behavioral tests. Using immunohistochemistry for microglia marker ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (IBA1) and machine learning "Weka trainable segmentation" plugin in Fiji, we evaluated the morphological changes in microglia in different brain regions. Changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) for astrocytes, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-6 (IL6) were also evaluated. RESULTS We observed an increase in microglial soma size in the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus of mice with endometriosis compared to sham controls on days 8, 16, and 32. The percentage of IBA1 and GFAP-positive area was increased in the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus in mice with endometriosis compared to sham controls on day 16. The number of microglia and astrocytes did not differ between endometriosis and sham control groups. We observed increased TNF and IL6 expression when expression levels from all brain regions were combined. Mice with endometriosis displayed reduced burrowing behavior and hyperalgesia in the abdomen and hind-paw. CONCLUSION We believe this is the first report of central nervous system-wide glial activation in a mouse model of endometriosis. These results have significant implications for understanding chronic pain associated with endometriosis and other issues such as anxiety and depression in women with endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shah Tauseef Bashir
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 W. Gregory Drive, Room 314 ASL, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Catherine R Redden
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 W. Gregory Drive, Room 314 ASL, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Kishori Raj
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 W. Gregory Drive, Room 314 ASL, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Rachel B Arcanjo
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 W. Gregory Drive, Room 314 ASL, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Sandra Stasiak
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 W. Gregory Drive, Room 314 ASL, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Quanxi Li
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Andrew J Steelman
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 W. Gregory Drive, Room 314 ASL, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Romana A Nowak
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1207 W. Gregory Drive, Room 314 ASL, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
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21
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Maclean A, Barzilova V, Patel S, Bates F, Hapangama DK. Characterising the immune cell phenotype of ectopic adenomyosis lesions compared with eutopic endometrium: A systematic review. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 157:103925. [PMID: 36870297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation is implicated in the symptomatology and the pathogenesis of adenomyosis. Injury at the endo-myometrial interface causes inflammation and may facilitate the invasion of endometrium into the myometrium, forming adenomyosis lesions. Their presence causes local inflammation, resulting in heavy menstrual bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, and subfertility. Immunological differences have been described in the eutopic endometrium from women with adenomyosis compared to healthy endometrium, and differences are also expected in the adenomyotic lesions compared with the correctly sited eutopic endometrium. This systematic review retrieved relevant articles from three databases with additional manual citation chaining from inception to 24th October 2022. Twenty-two eligible studies were selected in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Risk of bias assessments were performed, and the findings presented thematically. Ectopic endometrial stroma contained an increased density of macrophages compared with eutopic endometrium in adenomyosis. This was associated with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, ILβ-1, C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 1(CXCR1), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1)), and an imbalance of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-22, IL-37). Cells in ectopic lesions also contained a higher levels of toll-like receptors and immune-mediated enzymes. However, the studies were heterogeneous, with inconsistent reporting of immune cell density within epithelial or stromal compartments, and inclusion of samples from different menstrual cycle phases in the same group for analysis. A detailed understanding of the immune cell phenotypes present in eutopic and ectopic endometrium in adenomyosis and associated dysregulated inflammatory processes will provide further insight into the pathogenesis, to enable identification of fertility-sparing treatments as an alternative to hysterectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Maclean
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L8 7SS, United Kingdom; Liverpool Women's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, United Kingdom.
| | - Vanya Barzilova
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L8 7SS, United Kingdom
| | - Simran Patel
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L8 7SS, United Kingdom
| | - Faith Bates
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L8 7SS, United Kingdom; School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, United Kingdom
| | - Dharani K Hapangama
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L8 7SS, United Kingdom; Liverpool Women's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool L8 7SS, United Kingdom
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22
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Hansen KE, Brandsborg B, Kesmodel US, Forman A, Kold M, Pristed R, Donchulyesko O, Hartwell D, Vase L. Psychological interventions improve quality of life despite persistent pain in endometriosis: results of a 3-armed randomized controlled trial. Qual Life Res 2023; 32:1727-1744. [PMID: 36797461 PMCID: PMC10172241 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-023-03346-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite standard medical treatment endometriosis is often associated with disabling pain and poor quality of life (QoL). Studies indicate that psychological interventions (PIs) may improve pain and QoL, yet studies on the effects of PIs for women with endometriosis are sparse and limited by low-quality study designs. Therefore, this study aimed, in a rigorous three-armed design, to evaluate the effect of PIs on chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and QoL in women with endometriosis. METHODS This three-armed parallel, multi-center randomized controlled trial included fifty-eight endometriosis patients reporting severe CPP [≥ 5 for pain intensity measured on a 0-10-point numeric rating scale (NRS)]. Patients were randomly assigned to (1) Specific mindfulness- and acceptance-based psychological intervention (MY-ENDO), (2) Carefully matched non-specific psychological intervention (Non-specific), or (3) A wait-list control group (WL). The primary outcome was pelvic pain intensity/unpleasantness measured on NRS. Secondary outcomes included endometriosis-related quality of life, workability, pain acceptance, and endometriosis-related symptoms. Differences in outcomes between groups at post-treatment follow-up were analyzed using mixed linear models. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS Compared to WL, psychological intervention (MY-ENDO + Non-specific) did not significantly reduce pain. However, psychological intervention did significantly improve the QoL-subscales 'control and powerlessness', 'emotional well-being', and 'social support' as well as the endometriosis-related symptoms 'dyschezia' and 'constipation'. MY-ENDO was not superior to Non-specific. CONCLUSIONS Women with endometriosis may have significant and large effects of psychological intervention on QoL despite an ongoing experience of severe CPP. TRIAL REGISTRATION 12 April 2016, clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02761382), retrospectively registered.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Hansen
- Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark. .,Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - B Brandsborg
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8210, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - U S Kesmodel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - A Forman
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8210, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8210, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - M Kold
- Department of Communication and Psychology, The Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), Aalborg University, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - R Pristed
- Department of Psychological Health, Agder University, Agder, Norway
| | - O Donchulyesko
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjørring, Denmark
| | - D Hartwell
- Department of Gynaecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - L Vase
- Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, School of Business and Social Sciences, Aarhus University, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
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23
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Guan Q, Velho RV, Sehouli J, Mechsner S. Endometriosis and Opioid Receptors: Are Opioids a Possible/Promising Treatment for Endometriosis? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021633. [PMID: 36675147 PMCID: PMC9864914 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis (EM), defined as the presence of endometrial-like tissue with surrounding smooth muscle cells outside the uterus, is a disregarded gynecological disease reported to affect 6-10% of women of reproductive age, with 30-50% of them suffering from chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Since the exact pathogenic mechanisms of EM are still unclear, no curative therapy is available. As pain is an important factor in EM, optimal analgesia should be sought, which to date has been treated primarily with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), metamizole or, in extreme cases, opioids. Here, we review the pain therapy options, the mechanisms of pain development in EM, the endogenous opioid system and pain, as well as the opioid receptors and EM-associated pain. We also explore the drug abuse and addiction to opioids and the possible use of NOP receptors in terms of analgesia and improved tolerability as a target for EM-associated pain treatment. Emerging evidence has shown a promising functional profile of bifunctional NOP/MOP partial agonists as safe and nonaddictive analgesics. However, until now, the role of NOP receptors in EM has not been investigated. This review offers a thought which still needs further investigation but may provide potential options for relieving EM-associated pain.
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24
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Che J, Gao Y, Sun M, Zhou S, Lu P, Zhao T. Uterine Anteroposterior Diameter Measured by Transvaginal Sonography is a Predictor for Dysmenorrhea in Patients With and Without Endometriosis: A Pilot Study. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2022. [PMID: 36585745 DOI: 10.1002/jum.16168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between uterine diameters and menstrual abdominal pain intensity in patients with and without endometriosis (EM), and the independent influence of EM on the pain intensity. METHODS Uterine diameters and the diagnosis of adenomyosis were ascertained by transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS). Menstrual abdominal pain intensity was estimated by visual analog scale (VAS). Linear regression was used to figure out the impact of uterine diameters and EM on the VAS scores. Logistic regression was used to calculate the correlation between uterine diameters and the diagnosis of adenomyosis. The cutoff values of uterine anteroposterior diameter (AD) to predict dysmenorrhea (VAS ≥ 4) and the diagnosis of adenomyosis were determined by receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS There were 220 patients with and 233 patients without EM included. Uterine AD independently correlated with the VAS scores in patients with (B = .230, P = .000) and without (B = .203, P = .000) EM. A uterine AD of 39.5 mm predicted dysmenorrhea in both groups. The presence of EM increased the VAS scores by 1.151 points when controlling for uterine diameters. Uterine AD also independently correlated with the diagnosis of adenomyosis under TVS in patients with (OR = 1.212, 95% CI = 1.130-1.301; P = .000) and without (OR = 1.192, 95% CI = 1.123-1.263; P = .000) EM. A uterine AD of 38.5 and 39.5 mm predicted the diagnosis of adenomyosis under TVS in patients with and without EM, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Increased uterine AD, which is probably ascribed to adenomyosis, plays an important role in augmented menstrual abdominal pain intensity. Meanwhile, the presence of EM reinforces the pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Che
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Ultrasound, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meiling Sun
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Hospital of Huaian, Huaian, China
| | - Shuang Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengrong Lu
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Zhao
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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25
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Abstract
Endometriosis affects approximately 190 million women and people assigned female at birth worldwide. It is a chronic, inflammatory, gynecologic disease marked by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, which in many patients is associated with debilitating painful symptoms. Patients with endometriosis are also at greater risk of infertility, emergence of fatigue, multisite pain, and other comorbidities. Thus, endometriosis is best understood as a condition with variable presentation and effects at multiple life stages. A long diagnostic delay after symptom onset is common, and persistence and recurrence of symptoms despite treatment is common. This review discusses the potential genetic, hormonal, and immunologic factors that lead to endometriosis, with a focus on current diagnostic and management strategies for gynecologists, general practitioners, and clinicians specializing in conditions for which patients with endometriosis are at higher risk. It examines evidence supporting the different surgical, pharmacologic, and non-pharmacologic approaches to treating patients with endometriosis and presents an easy to adopt step-by-step management strategy. As endometriosis is a multisystem disease, patients with the condition should ideally be offered a personalized, multimodal, interdisciplinary treatment approach. A priority for future discovery is determining clinically informative sub-classifications of endometriosis that predict prognosis and enhance treatment prioritization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Horne
- EXPPECT Edinburgh and MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Stacey A Missmer
- Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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26
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Beales D, Asinelli R, Klokset M, O'Kane L, Urstad T, Wise E, Zabatiero J, Thompson J, Pontre J, Waller R. Association between pelvic pain bothersomeness and pain sensitivity: A community-based cross-sectional study of young adult females in the Raine Study. BJOG 2022; 129:1981-1991. [PMID: 35596698 PMCID: PMC9796573 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pelvic pain has been associated with augmented nociceptive processing, but large studies controlling for multiple potential confounding factors are lacking. This study investigated the association between pelvic pain bothersomeness and pain sensitivity in young adult women, accounting for potential confounding factors. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING Community-dwelling sample. POPULATION The Raine Study Gen2-22 year follow-up (n = 475). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The experience of bothersomeness related to pelvic pain was determined from a question in the Urogenital Distress Inventory short form. Pain sensitivity was measured using pressure pain and cold pain thresholds. Potential confounding factors included ethnicity, marital status, highest level of education, income, waist-hip ratio, level of activity, sleep quality, smoking, comorbidity history, C-reactive protein level, musculoskeletal pain experience and psychological distress. RESULTS Three hundred and sixty-two women (76.2%) reported no pelvic pain bothersomeness, 74 (15.6%) reported mild pelvic pain bothersomeness and 39 (8.2%) reported moderate-severe pelvic pain bothersomeness. After adjusting for marital status (and test site), moderate-severe pelvic pain bothersomeness was associated with a lower pressure pain threshold (i.e. greater pressure pain sensitivity) (coefficient -51.46, 95% CI -98.06 to -4.86, p = 0.030). After adjusting for smoking, moderate-severe pelvic pain bothersomeness was also associated with a higher cold pain threshold (i.e. greater cold pain sensitivity) (coefficient 4.35, 95% CI 0.90-7.79, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests augmented nociceptive processing as a contributing factor in pelvic pain bothersomeness for some women. Thorough assessment of women who present clinically with pelvic pain should consider pain sensitivity as a potential contributing factor to their presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren Beales
- Curtin enAble Institute and Curtin School of Allied HealthCurtin UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Renata Asinelli
- Curtin enAble Institute and Curtin School of Allied HealthCurtin UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Marit Klokset
- Curtin enAble Institute and Curtin School of Allied HealthCurtin UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Lindsay O'Kane
- Curtin enAble Institute and Curtin School of Allied HealthCurtin UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Tonje Urstad
- Curtin enAble Institute and Curtin School of Allied HealthCurtin UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Emma Wise
- Curtin enAble Institute and Curtin School of Allied HealthCurtin UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Juliana Zabatiero
- Curtin enAble Institute and Curtin School of Allied HealthCurtin UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia,The Raine StudyThe University of Western AustraliaCrawleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Judith Thompson
- Curtin enAble Institute and Curtin School of Allied HealthCurtin UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Jennifer Pontre
- King Edward Memorial HospitalPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Robert Waller
- Curtin enAble Institute and Curtin School of Allied HealthCurtin UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
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27
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Unveil the pain of endometriosis: from the perspective of the nervous system. Expert Rev Mol Med 2022; 24:e36. [PMID: 36059111 DOI: 10.1017/erm.2022.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with pelvic pain and uncharacteristic accompanying symptoms. Endometriosis-associated pain often persists despite treatment of the disease, thus it brings a deleterious impact on their personal lives as well as imposing a substantial economic burden on them. At present, mechanisms underlie endometriosis-associated pain including inflammatory reaction, injury, aberrant blood vessels and the morphological and functional anomaly of the peripheral and central nervous systems. The nerve endings are influenced by the physical and chemical factors surrounding the lesion, via afferent nerve to the posterior root of the spinal nerve, then to the specific cerebral cortex involved in nociception. However, our understanding of the aetiology and mechanism of this complex pain process caused by endometriosis remains incomplete. Identifying the pathogenesis of endometriosis is crucial to disease management, offering proper treatment, and helping patients to seek novel targets for the maintenance and contributors of chronic pain. The main aim of this review is to focus on every possible mechanism of pain related to endometriosis in both peripheral and central nervous systems, and to present related mechanisms of action from the interaction between peripheral lesions and nerves to the changes in transmission of pain, resulting in hyperalgesia and the corresponding alterations in cerebral cortex and brain metabolism.
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28
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Martire FG, Russo C, Selntigia A, Siciliano T, Lazzeri L, Piccione E, Zupi E, Exacoustos C. Transvaginal ultrasound evaluation of the pelvis and symptoms after laparoscopic partial cystectomy for bladder endometriosis. J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc 2022; 23:145-153. [PMID: 36065973 PMCID: PMC9450928 DOI: 10.4274/jtgga.galenos.2022.2022-5-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate transvaginal sonography (TVS) findings after laparoscopic partial cystectomy for bladder endometriosis and to correlate postsurgical ultrasound findings with symptoms. Material and Methods: A retrospective study including women who underwent laparoscopic partial cystectomy for bladder endometriosis. Within 12 months after surgery, TVS examination was conducted in all patients to evaluate the bladder morphology, and the presence of any postsurgical sonographic findings of the pelvis. Painful symptoms were assessed using a visual analogue scale. Results: A total of 40 women were included. At the follow-up visit, 25 patients were receiving medical treatment while 15 had declined post-surgical therapy and had tried to conceive. The presence of bladder deep-infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) was found in nine (22.5%), fibrotic thickening of the bladder wall was found in 15 (37.5%), and normal bladder morphology was observed in 16 (40%). There was a correlation between anterior adenomyosis and bladder DIE, and fibrotic thickening of the bladder. Patients with TVS signs of bladder DIE and anterior adenomyosis suffered more dysmenorrhea and dysuria than patients with normal bladder. Conclusion: Post-operative TVS can detect the alteration of pelvis and could explain the causes of the persistence of symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Giuseppe Martire
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology of Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Consuelo Russo
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology of Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Aikaterini Selntigia
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology of Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Terry Siciliano
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology of Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Lazzeri
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Emilio Piccione
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology of Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy,Postgraduate School of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University Our Lady of Good Counsel, Tirana, Albania
| | - Errico Zupi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Caterina Exacoustos
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology of Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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29
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Kanellopoulos D, Karagianni D, Pergialiotis V, Nikiteas N, Lazaris AC, Iliopoulos D. The effect of endometriosis on fertility in an animal model. J Med Life 2022; 15:1170-1175. [PMID: 36415526 PMCID: PMC9635238 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2021-0391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The present experimental model aimed to investigate the possible effect of endometriosis on ovarian function by altering follicular maturation and development. This single-blind, randomized study included twenty-four female Sprague Dawley mice, 2.5 months old, weighing 160-200 grams. The animals were randomly separated into four groups on the day of the surgery. Each group consisted of 6 mice. The first group (A) consisted of healthy female mice (control group). The second group (B) consisted of mice subjected to surgical insertion of ovarian endometrioma. The third group (C) consisted of mice subjected to surgically induced diffuse intraperitoneal endometriosis, and the fourth group (D) consisted of mice subjected to surgically induced extraperitoneal endometriosis. According to our experimental model, endometriosis may affect ovarian function by increasing the number of luteinized unruptured follicles (follicles that have undergone luteinization without prior rupture).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kanellopoulos
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Karagianni
- 1 Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilios Pergialiotis
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Nikiteas
- 2 Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas C Lazaris
- 1 Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Iliopoulos
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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30
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Wu Y, Li X, Dai Y, Shi J, Gu Z, Zhang J, Zhang C, Yan H, Leng J. Does Dysmenorrhea Affect Clinical Features and Long-Term Surgical Outcomes of Patients With Ovarian Endometriosis? A 12-Year Retrospective Observational Cohort Study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:905688. [PMID: 35783615 PMCID: PMC9243552 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.905688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To examine and compare the differences in clinical characteristics and long-term postoperative outcomes of ovarian endometriomas (OMA) patients with and without dysmenorrhea, including data from at least 8 years of postoperative follow-up examinations. Methods Retrospective analysis of 334 OMA patients, including their demographic and clinical data. Long-term follow-up record was also collected. All laparoscopic cystectomy procedures were performed by the same surgeon at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2009 and April 2013. Patients were divided into the dysmenorrhea and non-dysmenorrhea groups to perform the analysis of their preoperative characteristics, relevant surgical findings, and postoperative outcomes at the follow-up. Results Out of 334 OMA patients, 257 (76.9%) patients were allocated to the dysmenorrhea group, while the rest 77 (23.1%) patients were included in the non-dysmenorrhea group. Compared with the dysmenorrhea group, the non-dysmenorrhea group exhibited a reduced proportion of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) (P = 0.003), dyspareunia (P < 0.001), tenesmus (P < 0.001), concurrency of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) (P < 0.001), and adenomyosis (P = 0.032). Preoperative infertility was significantly higher in the dysmenorrhea group (P = 0.001). The mean operating time in the dysmenorrhea vs. the non-dysmenorrhea group was 68.0 vs. 56.0 min (P < 0.001). According to the revised American Fertility Society (rAFS) scoring system, the mean scores of the two groups were 52.1 vs. 44.6 (P = 0.033). During follow-up, the dysmenorrhea group showed a higher rate of disease relapse (P < 0.001). A minimum postoperative follow-up period of 8 years was required to evaluate the pregnancy outcomes. Successful pregnancies were identified in 97/257 (37.7%) cases in the dysmenorrhea group and 36/77(46.8%) cases in the non-dysmenorrhea group (P = 0.157), respectively. Though the dysmenorrhea group had a higher rate of postoperative infertility, differences were not significant between the two groups. Conclusions Compared with the dysmenorrhea group, OMA patients without dysmenorrhea exhibited lower proportions of CPP, dyspareunia, tenesmus, lower concurrency of DIE and adenomyosis, shorter mean operating time, lower mean rAFS scores, and lower infertility rates. During the long-term follow-up, a lower recurrence rate was observed in the non-dysmenorrhea group. Regarding fertility outcomes, non-dysmenorrhea patients had a higher likelihood of successful pregnancy after surgery. Postoperative management needs to be evaluated separately according to dysmenorrhea pathology.
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31
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Kanellopoulos D, Karagianni D, Pergialiotis V, Patsouras G, Patsouras K, Nikiteas N, Lazaris AC, Iliopoulos D. The interplay between endometriosis and fertility in rats: a systematic review. J Med Life 2022; 15:742-746. [PMID: 35928366 PMCID: PMC9321488 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2021-0329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
For the last decades, endometriosis has been a major gynecological problem and a significant cause of infertility for women worldwide. It is estimated that the disease affects about 10-15% of all women of reproductive age and 70% of women suffering from chronic pelvic pain. At the same time, the incidence is about 40-60% in women with dysmenorrhea and 20-30% in women with subfertility. Despite the high percentage of affected women, endometriosis is still characterized by insufficient knowledge of the pathogenic processes, leading to the development and continuity of the disease. For this reason, there is a significant need for insight and understanding of the pathogenesis of endometriosis. This systematic review aims to present the latest data on the use of rats in endometriosis research and to explore how fertility is affected in rats with endometriosis. The methodology included a review of the available publications retrieved by a search in various scientific databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Google Scholar. The initial search generated 30 titles, with 10 articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria. In conclusion, several surgical techniques have been proposed to induce endometriosis, mainly using rats as the appropriate animal model. Studies in rats showed that endometriosis causes infertility and that pregnancy rates are lower for rats with endometriosis than those without endometriosis. In addition, rats with endometriosis have significant abnormalities in the structure of their oocytes as well as in the development of their embryos (genetic abnormalities).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Kanellopoulos
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tzaneio Hospital, Athens, Greece,Corresponding Author: Dimitrios Kanellopoulos, Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. E-mail:
| | - Dimitra Karagianni
- 1 Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilios Pergialiotis
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Nikolaos Nikiteas
- 2 Propaedeutic Department of Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas C Lazaris
- 1 Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Iliopoulos
- Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research N.S. Christeas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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32
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Vannuccini S, Clemenza S, Rossi M, Petraglia F. Hormonal treatments for endometriosis: The endocrine background. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2022; 23:333-355. [PMID: 34405378 PMCID: PMC9156507 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-021-09666-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a benign uterine disorder characterized by menstrual pain and infertility, deeply affecting women's health. It is a chronic disease and requires a long term management. Hormonal drugs are currently the most used for the medical treatment and are based on the endocrine pathogenetic aspects. Estrogen-dependency and progesterone-resistance are the key events which cause the ectopic implantation of endometrial cells, decreasing apoptosis and increasing oxidative stress, inflammation and neuroangiogenesis. Endometriotic cells express AMH, TGF-related growth factors (inhibin, activin, follistatin) CRH and stress related peptides. Endocrine and inflammatory changes explain pain and infertility, and the systemic comorbidities described in these patients, such as autoimmune (thyroiditis, arthritis, allergies), inflammatory (gastrointestinal/urinary diseases) and mental health disorders.The hormonal treatment of endometriosis aims to block of menstruation through an inhibition of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis or by causing a pseudodecidualization with consequent amenorrhea, impairing the progression of endometriotic implants. GnRH agonists and antagonists are effective on endometriosis by acting on pituitary-ovarian function. Progestins are mostly used for long term treatments (dienogest, NETA, MPA) and act on multiple sites of action. Combined oral contraceptives are also used for reducing endometriosis symptoms by inhibiting ovarian function. Clinical trials are currently going on selective progesterone receptor modulators, selective estrogen receptor modulators and aromatase inhibitors. Nowadays, all these hormonal drugs are considered the first-line treatment for women with endometriosis to improve their symptoms, to postpone surgery or to prevent post-surgical disease recurrence. This review aims to provide a comprehensive state-of-the-art on the current and future hormonal treatments for endometriosis, exploring the endocrine background of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Vannuccini
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Clemenza
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Margherita Rossi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
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33
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Maulitz L, Stickeler E, Stickel S, Habel U, Tchaikovski SN, Chechko N. Endometriosis, psychiatric comorbidities and neuroimaging: Estimating the odds of an endometriosis brain. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 65:100988. [PMID: 35202605 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.100988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic pain disorder that affects young women, impairing their physical, mental and social well-being. Apart from personal suffering, it imposes a significant economic burden on the healthcare system. We analyzed studies reporting comorbid mental disorders in endometriosis based on the ICD/DSM criteria, discussing them in the context of available neuroimaging studies. We postulate that at least one-third of endometriosis patients suffer from mental disorders (mostly depression or anxiety) and require psychiatric or psychotherapeutic support. According to three neuroimaging studies involving patients with endometriosis, brain regions related not only to pain processing but also to emotion, cognition, self-regulation and reward likely constitute the so-called "endometriosis brain". It is not clear, however, whether the neurobiological changes seen in these patients are caused by chronic pain, mental comorbidities or endometriosis itself. Given the paucity of high-quality data on mental comorbidities and neurobiological correlates in endometriosis, further research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Maulitz
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - E Stickeler
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - S Stickel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Strasse, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - U Habel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Strasse, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - S N Tchaikovski
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Gerhart-Hauptmann-Straße 35, 39108 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - N Chechko
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine: JARA-Institute Brain Structure Function Relationship (INM 10), Research Center Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Strasse, 52428 Jülich, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behavior (INM-7), Research Center Jülich, Wilhelm-Johnen-Strasse, 52428 Jülich, Germany.
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34
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Rosenbaum J, Bourdel N, Khochbin S, Kvaskoff M, Matsuzaki S, Mechta-Grigoriou F, Pluchino N, Sandra O, Vaiman D. [Avenues of reflection for endometriosis research in France]. Med Sci (Paris) 2022; 38:274-279. [PMID: 35333164 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2022027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic disease in which lesions resembling endometrial tissue are found outside the uterus, mainly in the pelvis or abdomen. It may affect 10% of women of childbearing age. It is the cause of a significant alteration in quality of life and a major cost to the health system. Few research teams are working on this subject, and its pathophysiology is still poorly understood. This article proposes avenues of reflection for research on endometriosis in France, notably based on the mobilization of related scientific communities (involved in cancer, development, epigenetics, and neurosciences research studies).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Rosenbaum
- Inserm, Institut thématique « Biologie cellulaire, développement, évolution », Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Bourdel
- Service de chirurgie gynécologique, CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France ; EnCoV, IP, UMR 6602 CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Saadi Khochbin
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm, U1209, Université Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, F-38700 Grenoble, France
| | - Marina Kvaskoff
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Université Paris-Sud, Inserm, Gustave Roussy, Équipe Exposome et hérédité, CESP, F-94805, Villejuif, France
| | - Sachiko Matsuzaki
- CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Chirurgie Gynécologique Université Clermont Auvergne, Institut Pascal, UMR6602, CNRS/UCA/SIGMA, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Fatima Mechta-Grigoriou
- Laboratoire Stress et cancer, Institut Curie, Inserm, U830, Université PSL, équipe labélisée par la ligue nationale contre le cancer, 75248, Paris, France
| | - Nicola Pluchino
- Département d'obstétrique et gynécologie, Hôpital universitaire de Genève, Genève, Suisse
| | - Olivier Sandra
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, INRAE, BREED, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France ; École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort, BREED, 94700, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Daniel Vaiman
- Université de Paris, Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, 24 rue du Faubourg St Jacques, 75014, Paris, France
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35
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Singh SS, Missmer SA, Tu FF. Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain for the Gastroenterologist. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2022; 51:195-211. [PMID: 35135662 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2021.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis, affecting 5-10% of reproductive-age women, is a common contributor to dysmenorrhea and chronic pelvic pain. Diagnosis requires laparoscopic tissue biopsy, but careful pelvic examination, and/or imaging with either ultrasound or MRI, may identify patients who should receive empiric first-line therapy. The presence of dyschezia, particularly with cyclical exacerbation, should raise suspicion for bowel or rectovaginal septum involvement, and a greater need for surgical management. Treatment of dysmenorrhea includes hormonal suppression of the menstrual cycle, and/or analgesics; more severe cases with strong pain and disability may require earlier surgical intervention to excise disease while preserving fertility desires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukhbir S Singh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Women's Health Center, 7th Floor, Riverside Campus, 1967 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 7W9, Canada
| | - Stacey A Missmer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 15 Michigan Street Northeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Frank F Tu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago, Walgreen's 1507, 2650 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
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36
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Siqueira-Campos VM, de Deus MSC, Poli-Neto OB, Rosa-E-Silva JC, de Deus JM, Conde DM. Current Challenges in the Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women: From Bench to Bedside. Int J Womens Health 2022; 14:225-244. [PMID: 35210869 PMCID: PMC8863341 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s224891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) affects a significant proportion of women worldwide And has a negative impact on several aspects of these women’s lives including mental health, work, relationships and sexual function, among others. This set of factors ultimately reflects negatively on quality Of life. The physiopathology of CPP is complex and remains to be fully clarified; however, recent advances have increased understanding of the mechanisms involved in chronic pain in general, and more specifically, CPP. Nonetheless, even when a detailed clinical history is obtained, meticulous physical examination is performed and imaging resources are appropriately used, the organic cause of the pain may still fail to be identified in a substantial number of women with CPP. Management of CPP may therefore be challenging. This narrative review was aimed at adding to the available literature on the subject, presenting and discussing the principal characteristics of CPP in women. The paper highlights gaps in the literature while providing the most up-to-date evidence associated with the physiopathology and classification of pain, its diagnosis and treatment. In addition, current challenges in the management of women with CPP are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vânia Meira Siqueira-Campos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | | | - Omero Benedicto Poli-Neto
- Laboratory for Translational Data Science, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Julio Cesar Rosa-E-Silva
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Miguel de Deus
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Délio Marques Conde
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
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37
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Troutman M, Chacko S, Petras L, Laufer MR. Informed Care for the Gynecologic Day Surgical Patient with a History of Sexual Trauma. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2022; 35:3-6. [PMID: 34302950 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpag.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The field of Obstetrics and Gynecology is one that provides intersections between one's most private and intimate moments with scenarios that could potentially trigger significant emotional trauma. As providers, one must balance providing appropriate care with the respect and autonomy of the patient. The perioperative and operative space presents many ethical dilemmas in navigating these boundaries, particularly among individuals with a history of sexual trauma. In our commentary, we present one case of an adolescent patient, with a history of sexual trauma and pelvic pain, who underwent laparoscopic surgery. We explore the interplay of delegating autonomy during amnesia, chronic pelvic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and hyperarousal within this period. There is knowledge to be gained amongst Obstetrics and Gynecology providers in navigating perioperative services in individuals with complex history of social stress and trauma so that we can better understand the landscape of providing competent care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Troutman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Sabeena Chacko
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lisa Petras
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Marc R Laufer
- Boston Center for Endometriosis, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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38
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Orr NL, Wahl KJ, Lisonek M, Joannou A, Noga H, Albert A, Bedaiwy MA, Williams C, Allaire C, Yong PJ. Central sensitization inventory in endometriosis. Pain 2022; 163:e234-e245. [PMID: 34030173 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT A key clinical problem is identifying the patient with endometriosis whose pain is complicated by central nervous system sensitization, where conventional gynecologic treatment (eg, hormonal therapy or surgery) may not completely alleviate the pain. The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is a questionnaire previously validated in the chronic pain population. The objective of this study was an exploratory proof-of-concept to identify a CSI cutoff in the endometriosis population to discriminate between individuals with significant central contributors (identified by central sensitivity syndromes [CSS]) to their pain compared to those without. We analyzed a prospective data registry at a tertiary referral center for endometriosis, and included subjects aged 18 to 50 years with endometriosis who were newly or re-referred to the center in 2018. The study sample consisted of 335 subjects with a mean age of 36.0 ± 7.0 years. An increasing number of CSS was significantly correlated with dysmenorrhea, deep dyspareunia, dyschezia, and chronic pelvic pain scores (P < 0.001), and with the CSI score (0-100) (r = 0.731, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that a CSI cutoff of 40 had a sensitivity of 78% (95% CI: 72.7%-84.6%) and a specificity of 80% (95% CI: 70.3%-84.5%) for identifying a patient with endometriosis with ≥3 CSS. In the group with CSI ≥ 40, 18% retrospectively self-reported pain nonresponsive to hormonal therapy and 40% self-reported daily pain, compared with 6% and 20% in the CSI < 40 group (P = 0.003 and 0.002, respectively). In conclusion, a CSI ≥ 40 may be a practical tool to help identify patients with endometriosis with pain contributors related to central nervous system sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha L Orr
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Women's Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kate J Wahl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Women's Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michelle Lisonek
- BC Women's Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Angela Joannou
- BC Women's Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Heather Noga
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Arianne Albert
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mohamed A Bedaiwy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Women's Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christina Williams
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Women's Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Catherine Allaire
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Women's Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Paul J Yong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Women's Center for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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39
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Is gabapentin effective and safe in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int Urogynecol J 2022; 33:1071-1081. [PMID: 35013759 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-021-05017-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) affects 2.1-24% of women, causing physical and psychological damage to women around the world. Based on the efficacy of gabapentin in the treatment of chronic pain, we conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of gabapentin in reducing pain in women with CPP. METHODS Systematic searches were performed in the electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and Clinicalkey databases. Studies focused on comparing the efficacy of gabapentin and placebo in the treatment of female CPP patients were included. RevMan 5.4 was used to analyze the results and risk of bias. Two investigators independently selected eligible studies and extracted related pain scores and side effects for meta-analysis. RESULTS In total, 4 RCTs were enrolled in the meta-analysis, totaling 425 patients. Among patients receiving gabapentin, the average pain scores in 3 and 6 months were significantly lower than those in the placebo group(p < 0.00001). The results showed that there was no statistical difference between gabapentin and placebo in the reduction of pain scores from baseline(p = 0.41). The incidence of side effects in the gabapentin group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that for women with CPP, gabapentin was significantly different from placebo in average pain scores at 3 and 6 months. However, the two drugs did not differ in the reduction in pain scores from baseline. Gabapentin can bring more significant side effects, whether they are common side effects or serious side effects.
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Leonardi M, Armour M, Gibbons T, Cave A, As-Sanie S, Condous G, Cheong YC. Surgical interventions for the management of chronic pelvic pain in women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 12:CD008212. [PMID: 34923620 PMCID: PMC8684822 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd008212.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common gynaecological condition accounting for 20% of all gynaecological referrals. There are wide ranges of causes with overlapping symptomatology, therefore the management of the condition is a formidable challenge for clinicians. The aetiology of CPP is heterogeneous and in many cases, no clear diagnosis can be reached. It is in this scenario that the label of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) can be applied. We defined women with CPPS as having a minimum duration of pain of at least 6 months, including with a diagnosis of pelvic congestion syndrome, but excluding pain caused by a condition such as endometriosis. Many surgical interventions have been tried in isolation or in conjunction with non-surgical interventions in the management with variable results. Surgical interventions are invasive and carry operative risks. Surgical interventions must be evaluated for their effectiveness prior to their prevalent use in the management of women with CPPS. OBJECTIVES To review the effectiveness and safety of surgical interventions in the management of women with CPPS. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group (CGF) Specialised Register of Controlled Trials, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO, on 23 April 2021 for any randomised controlled trials (RCT) for surgical interventions in women with CPPS. We also searched the citation lists of relevant publications, two trial registries, relevant journals, abstracts, conference proceedings and several key grey literature sources. SELECTION CRITERIA RCTs with women who had CPPS. The review authors were prepared to consider studies of any surgical intervention used for the management of CPPS. Outcome measures were pain rating scales, adverse events, psychological outcomes, quality of life (QoL) measures and requirement for analgesia. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently evaluated studies for inclusion and extracted data using the forms designed according to Cochrane guidelines. For each included trial, we collected information regarding the method of randomisation, allocation concealment, blinding, data reporting and analyses. We reported pooled results as mean difference (MDs) or odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) by the Mantel-Haenszel method. If similar outcomes were reported on different scales, we calculated the standardised mean difference (SMD). We applied GRADE criteria to judge the overall certainty of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS Four studies met our inclusion criteria involving 216 women with CPP and no identifiable cause. Adhesiolysis compared to no surgery or diagnostic laparoscopy We are uncertain of the effect of adhesiolysis on pelvic pain scores postoperatively at three months (MD -7.3, 95% CI -29.9 to 15.3; 1 study, 43 participants; low-certainty evidence), six months (MD -14.3, 95% CI -35.9 to 7.3; 1 study, 43 participants; low-certainty evidence) and 12 months postsurgery (MD 0.00, 95% CI -4.60; 1 study, 43 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Adhesiolysis may improve both the emotional wellbeing (MD 24.90, 95% CI 7.92 to 41.88; 1 study, 43 participants; low-certainty evidence) and social support (MD 23.90, 95% CI -1.77 to 49.57; 1 study, 43 participants; low-certainty evidence) components of the Endometriosis Health Profile-30, and both the emotional component (MD 32.30, 95% CI 13.16 to 51.44; 1 study, 43 participants; low-certainty evidence) and the physical component of the 12-item Short Form (MD 22.90, 95% CI 10.97 to 34.83; 1 study, 43 participants; low-certainty evidence) when compared to diagnostic laparoscopy. We are uncertain of the safety of adhesiolysis compared to comparator groups due to low-certainty evidence and lack of structured adverse event reporting. No studies reported on psychological outcomes or requirements for analgesia. Laparoscopic uterosacral ligament ablation or resection compared to diagnostic laparoscopy/other treatment We are uncertain of the effect of laparoscopic uterosacral ligament/nerve ablation (LUNA) or resection compared to other treatments postoperatively at three months (OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.40 to 3.93; 1 study, 51 participants; low-certainty evidence) and six months (MD -2.10, 95% CI -4.38 to 0.18; 1 study, 74 participants; very low-certainty evidence). At 12 months post-surgery, we are uncertain of the effect of LUNA on the rate of successful treatment compared to diagnostic laparoscopy. One study of 56 participants found no difference in the effect of LUNA on non-cyclical pain (P = 0.854) or dyspareunia (P = 0.41); however, there was a difference favouring LUNA on dysmenorrhea (P = 0.045) and dyschezia (P = 0.05). We are also uncertain of the effect of LUNA compared to vaginal uterosacral ligament resection on pelvic pain at 12 months (MD 2.00, 95% CI 0.47 to 3.53; 1 study, 74 participants; very low-certainty evidence). We are uncertain of the safety of LUNA or resection compared to comparator groups due to the lack of structured adverse event reporting. Women undergoing LUNA may require more analgesia postoperatively than those undergoing other treatments (P < 0.001; 1 study, 74 participants). No studies reported psychological outcomes or QoL. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We are uncertain about the benefit of adhesiolysis or LUNA in management of pain in women with CPPS based on the current literature. There may be a QoL benefit to adhesiolysis in improving both emotional wellbeing and social support, as measured by the validated QoL tools. It was not possible to synthesis evidence on adverse events as these were only reported narratively in some studies, in which none were observed. With the inadequate objective assessment of adverse events, especially long-term adverse events, associated with adhesiolysis or LUNA for CPPS, there is currently little to support these interventions for CPPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Leonardi
- Acute Gynaecology, Early Pregnancy and Advanced Endosurgery Unit, Nepean Hospital, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mike Armour
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
- Medical Research Institute of New Zelaand (MRINZ), Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Tatjana Gibbons
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Adele Cave
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Sawsan As-Sanie
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - George Condous
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nepean Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ying C Cheong
- Human Development and Health Academic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Kloeve-Mogensen K, Rohde PD, Twisttmann S, Nygaard M, Koldby KM, Steffensen R, Dahl CM, Rytter D, Overgaard MT, Forman A, Christiansen L, Nyegaard M. Polygenic Risk Score Prediction for Endometriosis. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2021; 3:793226. [PMID: 36303976 PMCID: PMC9580817 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2021.793226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a major health care challenge because many young women with endometriosis go undetected for an extended period, which may lead to pain sensitization. Clinical tools to better identify candidates for laparoscopy-guided diagnosis are urgently needed. Since endometriosis has a strong genetic component, there is a growing interest in using genetics as part of the clinical risk assessment. The aim of this work was to investigate the discriminative ability of a polygenic risk score (PRS) for endometriosis using three different cohorts: surgically confirmed cases from the Western Danish endometriosis referral Center (249 cases, 348 controls), cases identified from the Danish Twin Registry (DTR) based on ICD-10 codes from the National Patient Registry (140 cases, 316 controls), and replication analysis in the UK Biobank (2,967 cases, 256,222 controls). Patients with adenomyosis from the DTR (25 cases) and from the UK Biobank (1,883 cases) were included for comparison. The PRS was derived from 14 genetic variants identified in a published genome-wide association study with more than 17,000 cases. The PRS was associated with endometriosis in surgically confirmed cases [odds ratio (OR) = 1.59, p = 2.57× 10−7] and in cases from the DTR biobank (OR = 1.50, p = 0.0001). Combining the two Danish cohorts, each standard deviation increase in PRS was associated with endometriosis (OR = 1.57, p = 2.5× 10−11), as well as the major subtypes of endometriosis; ovarian (OR = 1.72, p = 6.7× 10−5), infiltrating (OR = 1.66, p = 2.7× 10−9), and peritoneal (OR = 1.51, p = 2.6 × 10−3). These findings were replicated in the UK Biobank with a much larger sample size (OR = 1.28, p < 2.2× 10−16). The PRS was not associated with adenomyosis, suggesting that adenomyosis is not driven by the same genetic risk variants as endometriosis. Our results suggest that a PRS captures an increased risk of all types of endometriosis rather than an increased risk for endometriosis in specific locations. Although the discriminative accuracy is not yet sufficient as a stand-alone clinical utility, our data demonstrate that genetics risk variants in form of a simple PRS may add significant new discriminatory value. We suggest that an endometriosis PRS in combination with classical clinical risk factors and symptoms could be an important step in developing an urgently needed endometriosis risk stratification tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstine Kloeve-Mogensen
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Palle Duun Rohde
- Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Simone Twisttmann
- The Danish Twin Registry, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Marianne Nygaard
- The Danish Twin Registry, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Rudi Steffensen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Christian Møller Dahl
- Department of Business and Economics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Dorte Rytter
- Research Unit for Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Axel Forman
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark
| | - Lene Christiansen
- The Danish Twin Registry, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Section of Forensic Genetics, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Nyegaard
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- *Correspondence: Mette Nyegaard
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Yan Q, Li J, Zeng J. The role of acupuncture in the treatment of women with pain in endometriosis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27582. [PMID: 34889220 PMCID: PMC8663820 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the high numbers of recent cases related to Endometriosis, acupuncture has become a first line of treatment to alleviate the discomfort caused by endometriosis. Numerous studies have reported that acupuncture has a distinct effect when treating the discomfort caused by endometriosis. The primary advantages include various treatment methods, simple administration, minimal adverse reactions, and having no impact on the intrauterine environment. This study aims to elucidate the role of acupuncture in treating pain associated with endometriosis. METHODS The authors will search 6 online-based databases to find Randomized Controlled Trials related to determining the role of acupuncture in treating pain from endometriosis. The assessed primary outcomes include the clinical effective rate, variation in the level of pain, and variation in peripheral blood CA-125 level. A comprehensive meta-analysis statistical software will be used to conduct all analyses. RESULTS This study will assess the role of acupuncture when it is used to treat pain arising from endometriosis. CONCLUSION The conclusions presented in the metanalysis will present a scientific-based theoretical framework and a standardized clinical guidance for treating endometriosis-related pain. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This systematic review and meta-analysis does not require an ethics approval as it does not collect any primary data from patients. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER September 28, 2021.osf.io/htukv. (https://osf.io/htukv/).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Yan
- Department of Urology, Jingzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hubei Province, Jingzhou , China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Jingzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hubei Province, Jingzhou, China
| | - Jing Zeng
- Department of Gynecology, Jingzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hubei Province, Jingzhou, China
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Effectiveness of intracavitary monopolar dielectric radiofrequency in women with endometriosis-associated pain: A case series. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2021; 46:101517. [PMID: 34864492 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND and Purpose: Endometriosis-associated pain is the main cause of chronic pelvic pain in women. Endometriosis has a significant negative impact across different domains of patients' quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an intracavitary application of monopolar dielectric radiofrequency in women with endometriosis-associated pain. PATIENT PRESENTATION Five women with endometriosis received 25 sessions of an intracavitary application of monopolar dielectric radiofrequency within three months. Outcomes, including quality of life, sex interference (Endometriosis Health Profile [EHP]-30 + section C), myofascial pain syndrome (myofascial trigger points), pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), frequency and referral pattern, pressure pain thresholds, allodynia and neuropathic pain (modified DN4), were examined both during and outside menses, after intervention and six months later. RESULTS Clinically meaningful improvements were achieved by most participants regarding pelvic pain intensity, abdominal sensitivity, and myofascial pain of the pelvic floor. CONCLUSION This study lays the foundation for future in-depth research, suggesting that monopolar dielectric radiofrequency could be helpful in improving the symptomatology and quality of life of women with endometriosis, also in patients who are unresponsive to medical and/or surgical treatments, or who cannot undergo them in the short term.
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As-Sanie S, Till SR, Schrepf AD, Griffith KC, Tsodikov A, Missmer SA, Clauw DJ, Brummett CM. Incidence and predictors of persistent pelvic pain following hysterectomy in women with chronic pelvic pain. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2021; 225:568.e1-568.e11. [PMID: 34464585 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.08.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pelvic pain is a debilitating problem that afflicts 15% to 20% of women in the United States. Although more than 200,000 hysterectomies are performed annually for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain, previous studies indicate that 1 in 4 women undergo the discomfort and morbidity of hysterectomy without the relief of pain. The factors that predict treatment failure remain poorly characterized. OBJECTIVE To describe the incidence of persistent pelvic pain 6 months following hysterectomy in women with chronic pelvic pain and determine whether a simple, self-reported measure of central sensitization is associated with a greater risk of persistent pelvic pain following hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a prospective, observational cohort study of women undergoing hysterectomy at an academic tertiary care center for a benign indication. Patients with preoperative chronic pelvic pain, defined as average pelvic pain ≥3 on a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale for >3 months before hysterectomy, were included in this analysis. The patients completed validated assessments of pain, anxiety, depression, and centralized pain (using the 2011 Fibromyalgia Survey Criteria, 0-31 points) preoperatively and 6 months after hysterectomy. The demographic information, surgical history, intraoperative findings, and surgical pathology were abstracted from the electronic medical records. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the independent predictors of persistent pelvic pain 6 months following hysterectomy, defined as <50% improvement in pelvic pain severity. RESULTS Among 176 participants with pelvic pain before hysterectomy, 126 (71.6%) were retained at 6 months, and 15 (11.9%) reported persistent pelvic pain. There was no difference in age (P=.46), race (P=.55), average pain severity during menses (P=.68), average overall pelvic pain (P=.10), or pain duration (P=.80) in those with and without persistent pelvic pain. Whereas intraoperative findings of endometriosis (P=.05) and uterine fibroids (P=.03) were associated with a higher incidence of persistent pain on univariate analysis, the surgical route (P=.46), pelvic adhesions (0.51), uterine weight (P=.66), and adenomyosis on histopathology (P=.27) were not related to the risk of persistent pain. Higher preoperative centralized pain scores (P=.01) but not depression (P=.64) or anxiety (P=.45) were more common in women with persistent pelvic pain. Multivariate logistic regression adjusting for age, preoperative pain severity, anxiety, depression, and operative findings of endometriosis and fibroids indicated that every 1-point increase in centralized pain before hysterectomy was associated with a 27% increase in the odds of persistent pelvic pain (odds ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.57) 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSION Although the majority of women with chronic pelvic pain report considerable improvement in pain following hysterectomy, higher degrees of centralized pain before hysterectomy is a robust predictor of persistent pelvic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawsan As-Sanie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
| | - Sara R Till
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Andrew D Schrepf
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Kendall C Griffith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Alex Tsodikov
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Stacey A Missmer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI
| | - Daniel J Clauw
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Chad M Brummett
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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Salliss ME, Farland LV, Mahnert ND, Herbst-Kralovetz MM. The role of gut and genital microbiota and the estrobolome in endometriosis, infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Hum Reprod Update 2021; 28:92-131. [PMID: 34718567 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmab035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endometriosis is a chronic, burdensome condition that is historically understudied. Consequently, there is a lack of understanding of the etiology of the disease and its associated symptoms, including infertility and chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Endometriosis development is influenced by estrogen metabolism and inflammation, which are modulated by several factors including the microbiome and the estrobolome (the collection of genes encoding estrogen-metabolizing enzymes in the gut microbiome). Therefore, there is increasing interest in understanding the role of microbiota in endometriosis etiology. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE To date, there is no cure for endometriosis and treatment options often are ineffective. This manuscript will review the potential relationship between the microbiome and endometriosis, infertility and CPP and highlight the available data on the microbiome in relation to endometriosis and its related symptoms. The overarching goal of this manuscript is to inform future microbiome research that will lead to a deeper understanding of the etiology of the disease and possible diagnostic modalities and treatments. The potential impact of the microbiome on estrogen regulation modulated by the estrobolome, as well as inflammation and other endometriosis-promoting mechanisms within the genital tract, will be reviewed. The methodological limitations of microbiome-related studies will be critically assessed to provide improved guidelines for future microbiome and clinical studies. SEARCH METHODS PubMed databases were searched using the following keywords: endometriosis AND microbiome, infertility AND microbiome, pelvic pain AND microbiome, IVF (in-vitro fertilization) AND microbiome, endometriosis AND infertility. Clinical and preclinical animal trials that were eligible for review, and related to microbiome and endometriosis, infertility or CPP were included. All available manuscripts were published in 2002-2021. OUTCOMES In total, 28 clinical and 6 animal studies were included in the review. In both human and animal studies, bacteria were enriched in endometriosis groups, although there was no clear consensus on specific microbiota compositions that were associated with endometriosis, and no studies included infertility or CPP with endometriosis. However, bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria and Lactobacillus depletion in the cervicovaginal microbiome were associated with endometriosis and infertility in the majority (23/28) of studies. Interpretation of endometrial studies is limited owing to a variety of methodological factors, discussed in this review. In addition, metadata outlining antibiotic usage, age, race/ethnicity, menopausal status and timing of sample collection in relation to diagnosis of endometriosis was not consistently reported. Animal studies (6/6) support a bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiota and endometriosis onset and progression. WIDER IMPLICATIONS There is evidence that a dysbiotic gut or genital microbiota is associated with multiple gynecologic conditions, with mounting data supporting an association between the microbiome and endometriosis and infertility. These microbiomes likely play a role in the gut-brain axis, which further supports a putative association with the spectrum of symptoms associated with endometriosis, including infertility and CPP. Collectively, this review highlights the demand for more rigorous and transparent methodology and controls, consistency across the field, and inclusion of key demographic and clinical characteristics of disease and comparison participants. Rigorous study designs will allow for a better understanding of the potential role of the microbiome in endometriosis etiology and the relationship to other disorders of the female reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Salliss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arizona-College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA.,Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Bath University, Bath, UK
| | - Leslie V Farland
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arizona-College of Medicine Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Nichole D Mahnert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arizona-College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Melissa M Herbst-Kralovetz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arizona-College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona-College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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Sinclair J, Collett L, Abbott J, Pate DW, Sarris J, Armour M. Effects of cannabis ingestion on endometriosis-associated pelvic pain and related symptoms. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258940. [PMID: 34699540 PMCID: PMC8547625 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of cannabis for symptoms of endometriosis was investigated utilising retrospective archival data from Strainprint Technologies Ltd., a Canadian data technology company with a mobile phone application that tracks a range of data including dose, mode of administration, chemovar and their effects on various self-reported outcomes, including pelvic pain. METHODS A retrospective, electronic record-based cohort study of StrainprintTM users with self-reported endometriosis was conducted. Self-rated cannabis efficacy, defined as a function of initial and final symptom ratings, was investigated across the included symptom clusters of cramps, pelvic pain, gastrointestinal pain, nausea, depression, and low libido. Cannabis dosage form, dose and cannabinoid ratio information was also recorded. RESULTS A total number of 252 participants identifying as suffering endometriosis recorded 16193 sessions using cannabis between April 2017 and February 2020. The most common method of ingestion was inhalation (n = 10914, 67.4%), with pain as the most common reported symptom being treated by cannabis (n = 9281, 57.3%). Gastrointestinal symptoms, though a less common reason for cannabis usage (15.2%), had the greatest self-reported improvement after use. Inhaled forms had higher efficacy for pain, while oral forms were superior for mood and gastrointestinal symptoms. Dosage varied across ingestion methods, with a median dose of 9 inhalations (IQR 5 to 11) for inhaled dosage forms and 1 mg/mL (IQR 0.5 to 2) for other ingested dosage forms. The ratio of THC to CBD had a statistically significant, yet clinically small, differential effect on efficacy, depending on method of ingestion. CONCLUSIONS Cannabis appears to be effective for pelvic pain, gastrointestinal issues and mood, with effectiveness differing based on method of ingestion. The greater propensity for use of an inhaled dosage delivery may be due to the rapid onset of pain-relieving effects versus the slower onset of oral products. Oral forms appeared to be superior compared to inhaled forms in the less commonly reported mood or gastrointestinal categories. Clinical trials investigating the tolerability and effectiveness of cannabis for endometriosis pain and associated symptoms are urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Sinclair
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Laura Collett
- Bristol Trials Centre, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Abbott
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David W. Pate
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jerome Sarris
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Professorial Unit, The Melbourne Clinic, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mike Armour
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Neuditschko B, Leibetseder M, Brunmair J, Hagn G, Skos L, Gerner MC, Meier-Menches SM, Yotova I, Gerner C. Epithelial Cell Line Derived from Endometriotic Lesion Mimics Macrophage Nervous Mechanism of Pain Generation on Proteome and Metabolome Levels. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1230. [PMID: 34439896 PMCID: PMC8393596 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a benign disease affecting one in ten women of reproductive age worldwide. Although the pain level is not correlated to the extent of the disease, it is still one of the cardinal symptoms strongly affecting the patients' quality of life. Yet, a molecular mechanism of this pathology, including the formation of pain, remains to be defined. Recent studies have indicated a close interaction between newly generated nerve cells and macrophages, leading to neurogenic inflammation in the pelvic area. In this context, the responsiveness of an endometriotic cell culture model was characterized upon inflammatory stimulation by employing a multi-omics approach, including proteomics, metabolomics and eicosanoid analysis. Differential proteomic profiling of the 12-Z endometriotic cell line treated with TNFα and IL1β unexpectedly showed that the inflammatory stimulation was able to induce a protein signature associated with neuroangiogenesis, specifically including neuropilins (NRP1/2). Untargeted metabolomic profiling in the same setup further revealed that the endometriotic cells were capable of the autonomous production of 7,8-dihydrobiopterin (BH2), 7,8-dihydroneopterin, normetanephrine and epinephrine. These metabolites are related to the development of neuropathic pain and the former three were found up-regulated upon inflammatory stimulation. Additionally, 12-Z cells were found to secrete the mono-oxygenated oxylipin 16-HETE, a known inhibitor of neutrophil aggregation and adhesion. Thus, inflammatory stimulation of endometriotic 12-Z cells led to specific protein and metabolite expression changes suggesting a direct involvement of these epithelial-like cells in endometriosis pain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Neuditschko
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (B.N.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.H.); (L.S.); (S.M.M.-M.)
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 42, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marlene Leibetseder
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (B.N.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.H.); (L.S.); (S.M.M.-M.)
| | - Julia Brunmair
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (B.N.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.H.); (L.S.); (S.M.M.-M.)
| | - Gerhard Hagn
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (B.N.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.H.); (L.S.); (S.M.M.-M.)
| | - Lukas Skos
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (B.N.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.H.); (L.S.); (S.M.M.-M.)
| | - Marlene C. Gerner
- Division of Biomedical Science, University of Applied Sciences, FH Campus Wien, Favoritenstraße 226, 1100 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Samuel M. Meier-Menches
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (B.N.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.H.); (L.S.); (S.M.M.-M.)
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 42, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Joint Metabolome Facility, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Iveta Yotova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Christopher Gerner
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (B.N.); (M.L.); (J.B.); (G.H.); (L.S.); (S.M.M.-M.)
- Joint Metabolome Facility, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Straße 38, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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A systematic review on isolated coil embolization for pelvic venous reflux. J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2021; 10:224-232.e9. [PMID: 34358670 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pelvic venous reflux (PVR) can present with symptoms such as chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia, resulting in a decreased quality of life among those affected. Percutaneous coil embolization (CE) is a common intervention for PVR; however, the efficacy and safety of its use in isolation has yet to be reviewed. METHODS The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were systematically searched from 1990 to July 20, 2020, for studies reporting on adult patients undergoing isolated CE for PVR. Articles not in English, case reports, studies reporting on pediatric patients, and studies not performing isolated CE were excluded. Search, review, and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers (S.S. and M.T.). Changes in pain before and after CE was evaluated through a pooled analysis of visual analogue scale scores in seven studies. RESULTS A total of 970 patients (range, 3-218, 100% female) undergoing isolated ovarian vein or mixed veins embolization from 20 studies were included. Pooled analysis revealed mean improvements of 5.47 points (95% CI, 4.77-6.16) on the visual analogue scale. Common symptoms such as urinary urgency and dyspareunia reported significant improvements of 78-100% and 60-89.5% respectively. Complications were rare, with coil migration (n = 19) being the most common. Recurrence rates differed based on the varying symptoms and studies, with recurrence in pain 1-2 years after CE ranging from 5.9-25%. Two randomized controlled trials revealed improved clinical outcomes with CE as compared with vascular plugs and hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS The current data suggests that isolated CE is technically effective and can result in clinical improvement among patients with PVR. However, further trials are required to ascertain its long-term effects.
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Cannabinoids and chronic pelvic pain in women: Focus on endometriosis. JOURNAL OF ENDOMETRIOSIS AND PELVIC PAIN DISORDERS 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/22840265211011277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pelvic pain in women is common and frequently difficult to treat. Chronic pelvic pain often develops in the setting of endometriosis, interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, and vulvodynia. Cannabinoids are a promising treatment modality for non-cancer chronic pain, but have not been studied in women with chronic pelvic pain nor in specific chronic pelvic pain conditions. This review focuses on the interaction of the endocannabinoid system with the menstrual cycles, with endometriotic lesions, and within the bladder. Furthermore, it provides a brief overview of existing literature of the effects of endocannabinoids on chronic pain generally, with a focus on neuropathic pain. Finally, it discusses limited data available regarding the use of cannabinoids in women with chronic pelvic pain conditions. In the opinion of the authors, cannabinoids are a reasonable treatment modality for refractory chronic pelvic pain, especially if a neuropathic component is suspected. Practitioners should expect a modest effect on pain levels with an acceptable safety profile.
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Newmark AL, Luciano DE, Ulrich A, Luciano AA. Medical management of endometriosis. Minerva Obstet Gynecol 2021; 73:572-587. [PMID: 34264045 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-606x.21.04776-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Endometriosis is a benign gynecologic disorder that is defined as functional endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity. It is an estrogen-dependent, inflammatory disease that leads to symptoms of pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility, occurring in 6-10% of reproductive aged women. The severity of the disease ranges from asymptomatic to debilitating symptoms that have a major impact on women's lives. It is a chronic, recurrent disease, frequently requiring long term management until menopause and beyond. It is considered a chronic disorder that is managed with surgery, medical treatment, and oftentimes, both. Current medical therapy for endometriosis is considered suppressive of the disease, rather than curative. Fortunately, many patients do experience improvement and control of their symptoms with medical therapy. However, long-term efficacy of the medical treatments is often limited by side effects and the cost of therapy, and symptoms do tend to recur after discontinuation of these medications. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes our understanding of the pathogenesis of endometriosis and provides more in-depth discussion of specific medical management options used to treat endometriosis, including mechanism of action and side effects. It also provides recommendations on strategy with a forward look to novel endometriosis treatments in the future. EXPERT OPINION The authors emphasize that endometriosis is a chronic disorder requiring long term medical therapy. Early diagnosis of endometriosis is key in preventing severe, debilitating symptoms and progression of disease. By utilizing our current knowledge of the pathophysiology of endometriosis and by correctly implementing currently available medical and surgical therapies we can significantly reduce the physical, psychosocial and financial burden of this chronic, recurrent and indolent disease. Current available medications are suppressive therapies, but the authors are looking forward to future therapies that can effectively cure or at least control endometriosis with minimal side effects. Future research should continue to look for the genetic trigger for endometriosis which can lead us to its underlying pathogenesis and eventually a cure or prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis L Newmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA -
| | - Danielle E Luciano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Amanda Ulrich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Anthony A Luciano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
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