1
|
Raperport C, Desai J, Qureshi D, Rustin E, Balaji A, Chronopoulou E, Homburg R, Khan KS, Bhide P. The definition of unexplained infertility: A systematic review. BJOG 2023. [PMID: 37957032 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17697] [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: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is no consensus on tests required to either diagnose unexplained infertility or use for research inclusion criteria. This leads to heterogeneity and bias affecting meta-analysis and best practice advice. OBJECTIVES This systematic review analyses the variability of inclusion criteria applied to couples with unexplained infertility. We propose standardised criteria for use both in future research studies and clinical diagnosis. SEARCH STRATEGY CINAHL and MEDLINE online databases were searched up to November 2022 for all published studies recruiting couples with unexplained infertility, available in full text in the English language. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Data were collected in an Excel spreadsheet. Results were analysed per category and methodology or reference range. MAIN RESULTS Of 375 relevant studies, only 258 defined their inclusion criteria. The most commonly applied inclusion criteria were semen analysis, tubal patency and assessment of ovulation in 220 (85%), 232 (90%), 205 (79.5%) respectively. Only 87/220 (39.5%) studies reporting semen analysis used the World Health Organization (WHO) limits. Tubal patency was accepted if bilateral in 145/232 (62.5%) and if unilateral in 24/232 (10.3%). Ovulation was assessed using mid-luteal serum progesterone in 115/205 (56.1%) and by a history of regular cycles in 87/205 (42.4%). Other criteria, including uterine cavity assessment and hormone profile, were applied in less than 50% of included studies. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the heterogeneity among studied populations with unexplained infertility. Development and application of internationally accepted criteria will improve the quality of research and future clinical care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Raperport
- Women's Health Research Unit, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Jessica Desai
- Queen Mary University of London Medical School, London, UK
| | | | | | - Aparna Balaji
- Women's Health Research Unit, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, Peterborough, UK
| | | | - Roy Homburg
- Hewitt Fertility Centre, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Khalid Saeed Khan
- Department of Preventative Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health, Madrid, Spain
| | - Priya Bhide
- Women's Health Research Unit, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jeljeli M, Riccio LGC, Chouzenoux S, Moresi F, Toullec L, Doridot L, Nicco C, Bourdon M, Marcellin L, Santulli P, Abrão MS, Chapron C, Batteux F. Macrophage Immune Memory Controls Endometriosis in Mice and Humans. Cell Rep 2021; 33:108325. [PMID: 33147452 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a frequent, chronic, inflammatory gynecological disease characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue causing pain and infertility. Macrophages have a central role in lesion establishment and maintenance by driving chronic inflammation and tissue remodeling. Macrophages can be reprogrammed to acquire memory-like characteristics after antigenic challenge to reinforce or inhibit a subsequent immune response, a phenomenon termed "trained immunity." Here, whereas bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) training enhances the lesion growth in a mice model of endometriosis, tolerization with repeated low doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPSlow) or adoptive transfer of LPSlow-tolerized macrophages elicits a suppressor effect. LPSlow-tolerized human macrophages mitigate the fibro-inflammatory phenotype of endometriotic cells in an interleukin-10 (IL-10)-dependent manner. A history of severe Gram-negative infection is associated with reduced infertility duration and alleviated symptoms, in contrast to patients with Gram-positive infection history. Thus, the manipulation of innate immune memory may be effective in dampening hyper-inflammatory conditions, opening the way to promising therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Jeljeli
- Département 3I, Infection, Immunité et Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université de Paris, 75014 Paris, France; Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP-Centre Université de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Service d'immunologie biologique, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Luiza G C Riccio
- Département 3I, Infection, Immunité et Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université de Paris, 75014 Paris, France; Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, 01246903 São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Sandrine Chouzenoux
- Département 3I, Infection, Immunité et Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université de Paris, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Fabiana Moresi
- Département 3I, Infection, Immunité et Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université de Paris, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Laurie Toullec
- Département 3I, Infection, Immunité et Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université de Paris, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Ludivine Doridot
- Département 3I, Infection, Immunité et Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université de Paris, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Carole Nicco
- Département 3I, Infection, Immunité et Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université de Paris, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Bourdon
- Département 3I, Infection, Immunité et Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université de Paris, 75014 Paris, France; Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP-Centre Université de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Département de Gynécologie Obstétrique II et Médecine de la Reproduction, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Louis Marcellin
- Département 3I, Infection, Immunité et Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université de Paris, 75014 Paris, France; Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP-Centre Université de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Département de Gynécologie Obstétrique II et Médecine de la Reproduction, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Pietro Santulli
- Département 3I, Infection, Immunité et Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université de Paris, 75014 Paris, France; Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP-Centre Université de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Département de Gynécologie Obstétrique II et Médecine de la Reproduction, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Mauricio S Abrão
- Disciplina de Ginecologia, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, 01246903 São Paulo, Brasil
| | - Charles Chapron
- Département 3I, Infection, Immunité et Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université de Paris, 75014 Paris, France; Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP-Centre Université de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Département de Gynécologie Obstétrique II et Médecine de la Reproduction, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Batteux
- Département 3I, Infection, Immunité et Inflammation, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Université de Paris, 75014 Paris, France; Université de Paris, Faculté de Médecine, AP-HP-Centre Université de Paris, Hôpital Cochin, Service d'immunologie biologique, 75014 Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nisenblat V, Bossuyt PMM, Shaikh R, Farquhar C, Jordan V, Scheffers CS, Mol BWJ, Johnson N, Hull ML. Blood biomarkers for the non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016; 2016:CD012179. [PMID: 27132058 PMCID: PMC7076288 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND About 10% of reproductive-aged women suffer from endometriosis, a costly chronic disease causing pelvic pain and subfertility. Laparoscopy is the gold standard diagnostic test for endometriosis, but is expensive and carries surgical risks. Currently, there are no non-invasive or minimally invasive tests available in clinical practice to accurately diagnose endometriosis. Although other reviews have assessed the ability of blood tests to diagnose endometriosis, this is the first review to use Cochrane methods, providing an update on the rapidly expanding literature in this field. OBJECTIVES To evaluate blood biomarkers as replacement tests for diagnostic surgery and as triage tests to inform decisions on surgery for endometriosis. Specific objectives include:1. To provide summary estimates of the diagnostic accuracy of blood biomarkers for the diagnosis of peritoneal, ovarian and deep infiltrating pelvic endometriosis, compared to surgical diagnosis as a reference standard.2. To assess the diagnostic utility of biomarkers that could differentiate ovarian endometrioma from other ovarian masses. SEARCH METHODS We did not restrict the searches to particular study designs, language or publication dates. We searched CENTRAL to July 2015, MEDLINE and EMBASE to May 2015, as well as these databases to 20 April 2015: CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, LILACS, OAIster, TRIP, ClinicalTrials.gov, DARE and PubMed. SELECTION CRITERIA We considered published, peer-reviewed, randomised controlled or cross-sectional studies of any size, including prospectively collected samples from any population of reproductive-aged women suspected of having one or more of the following target conditions: ovarian, peritoneal or deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). We included studies comparing the diagnostic test accuracy of one or more blood biomarkers with the findings of surgical visualisation of endometriotic lesions. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently collected and performed a quality assessment of data from each study. For each diagnostic test, we classified the data as positive or negative for the surgical detection of endometriosis, and we calculated sensitivity and specificity estimates. We used the bivariate model to obtain pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity whenever sufficient datasets were available. The predetermined criteria for a clinically useful blood test to replace diagnostic surgery were a sensitivity of 0.94 and a specificity of 0.79 to detect endometriosis. We set the criteria for triage tests at a sensitivity of ≥ 0.95 and a specificity of ≥ 0.50, which 'rules out' the diagnosis with high accuracy if there is a negative test result (SnOUT test), or a sensitivity of ≥ 0.50 and a specificity of ≥ 0.95, which 'rules in' the diagnosis with high accuracy if there is a positive result (SpIN test). MAIN RESULTS We included 141 studies that involved 15,141 participants and evaluated 122 blood biomarkers. All the studies were of poor methodological quality. Studies evaluated the blood biomarkers either in a specific phase of the menstrual cycle or irrespective of the cycle phase, and they tested for them in serum, plasma or whole blood. Included women were a selected population with a high frequency of endometriosis (10% to 85%), in which surgery was indicated for endometriosis, infertility work-up or ovarian mass. Seventy studies evaluated the diagnostic performance of 47 blood biomarkers for endometriosis (44 single-marker tests and 30 combined tests of two to six blood biomarkers). These were angiogenesis/growth factors, apoptosis markers, cell adhesion molecules, high-throughput markers, hormonal markers, immune system/inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers, microRNAs, tumour markers and other proteins. Most of these biomarkers were assessed in small individual studies, often using different cut-off thresholds, and we could only perform meta-analyses on the data sets for anti-endometrial antibodies, interleukin-6 (IL-6), cancer antigen-19.9 (CA-19.9) and CA-125. Diagnostic estimates varied significantly between studies for each of these biomarkers, and CA-125 was the only marker with sufficient data to reliably assess sources of heterogeneity.The mean sensitivities and specificities of anti-endometrial antibodies (4 studies, 759 women) were 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76 to 0.87) and 0.75 (95% CI 0.46 to 1.00). For IL-6, with a cut-off value of > 1.90 to 2.00 pg/ml (3 studies, 309 women), sensitivity was 0.63 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.75) and specificity was 0.69 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.82). For CA-19.9, with a cut-off value of > 37.0 IU/ml (3 studies, 330 women), sensitivity was 0.36 (95% CI 0.26 to 0.45) and specificity was 0.87 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.99).Studies assessed CA-125 at different thresholds, demonstrating the following mean sensitivities and specificities: for cut-off > 10.0 to 14.7 U/ml: 0.70 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.77) and 0.64 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.82); for cut-off > 16.0 to 17.6 U/ml: 0.56 (95% CI 0.24, 0.88) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.75, 1.00); for cut-off > 20.0 U/ml: 0.67 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.85) and 0.69 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.80); for cut-off > 25.0 to 26.0 U/ml: 0.73 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.79) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.77); for cut-off > 30.0 to 33.0 U/ml: 0.62 (95% CI 0.45 to 0.79) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.53 to 1.00); and for cut-off > 35.0 to 36.0 U/ml: 0.40 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.49) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.94).We could not statistically evaluate other biomarkers meaningfully, including biomarkers that were assessed for their ability to differentiate endometrioma from other benign ovarian cysts.Eighty-two studies evaluated 97 biomarkers that did not differentiate women with endometriosis from disease-free controls. Of these, 22 biomarkers demonstrated conflicting results, with some studies showing differential expression and others no evidence of a difference between the endometriosis and control groups. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Of the biomarkers that were subjected to meta-analysis, none consistently met the criteria for a replacement or triage diagnostic test. A subset of blood biomarkers could prove useful either for detecting pelvic endometriosis or for differentiating ovarian endometrioma from other benign ovarian masses, but there was insufficient evidence to draw meaningful conclusions. Overall, none of the biomarkers displayed enough accuracy to be used clinically outside a research setting. We also identified blood biomarkers that demonstrated no diagnostic value in endometriosis and recommend focusing research resources on evaluating other more clinically useful biomarkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vicki Nisenblat
- The University of AdelaideDiscipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research InstituteLevel 6, Medical School North,Frome RdAdelaideSAAustralia5005
| | - Patrick MM Bossuyt
- Academic Medical Center, University of AmsterdamDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and BioinformaticsRoom J1b‐217, PO Box 22700AmsterdamNetherlands1100 DE
| | - Rabia Shaikh
- IVF AustraliaWestmead Fertility ClinicLevel 2 20‐22 Mons Road, WestmeadSydneyVictoriaAustralia2145
| | - Cindy Farquhar
- University of AucklandDepartment of Obstetrics and GynaecologyFMHS Park RoadGraftonAucklandNew Zealand1003
| | - Vanessa Jordan
- University of AucklandDepartment of Obstetrics and GynaecologyFMHS Park RoadGraftonAucklandNew Zealand1003
| | - Carola S Scheffers
- University of GroningenWenckebachlaan 53GroningenGroningenNetherlands9728 JL
| | - Ben Willem J Mol
- The University of AdelaideDiscipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research InstituteLevel 6, Medical School North,Frome RdAdelaideSAAustralia5005
| | - Neil Johnson
- The University of AdelaideDiscipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research InstituteLevel 6, Medical School North,Frome RdAdelaideSAAustralia5005
| | - M Louise Hull
- The University of AdelaideDiscipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research InstituteLevel 6, Medical School North,Frome RdAdelaideSAAustralia5005
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Prifti S, Sillem M, Arslic T, Monga B, Rehberger S, Runnebaum B. In vitro expression of soluble and cell surface-associated CD44 on endometrial cells from women with and without endometriosis. Eur J Clin Invest 1998; 28:1055-60. [PMID: 9893019 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2362.1998.00396.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endometriosis is one of the most common benign gynaecological diseases, and attachment of retrogradely shed viable endometrial cells is considered to be important in its development. CD44 is a multifunctional adhesion molecule that undergoes alternative splicing, giving rise to different isoforms. METHODS The expression of cell surface-associated CD44 std, v4, v5, v6 and v10 variants before and after cytokine treatment was investigated in endometrial cultures derived from 10 endometriosis patients and 22 women without the disease using immunocytochemistry. The immunoreactivity of soluble CD44 std, v5 and v6 variants was measured in culture medium using an enzyme immunoassay kit. RESULTS We report on the presence of soluble CD44 in endometrial culture supernatants. In particular, circulating CD44 standard form levels were significantly higher than levels of splice variants. We also found that both epithelial and stromal cells express surface-associated CD44 molecules in a distinct pattern and that this expression is not modulated by tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha or/and interleukin 1 (IL-1) alpha/beta. Finally, cell surface-associated as well as soluble CD44 expression was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that endometrial cells can serve as a source of circulating CD44, but a direct role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis is rather improbable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Prifti
- Ruprechts-Karls-Universitaet, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Akoum A, Lemay A, McColl SR, Paradis I, Maheux R. Increased monocyte chemotactic protein-1 level and activity in the peripheral blood of women with endometriosis. Le Groupe d'Investigation en Gynécologie. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996; 175:1620-5. [PMID: 8987950 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9378(96)70115-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to evaluate monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in the peripheral blood of women with and without endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN Fifty-seven patients with endometriosis at laparoscopy done for infertility and pelvic pain were compared with 44 fertile women with no evidence of endometriosis at tubal ligation by laparoscopy. Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 concentration in the plasma was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and its biologic activity was evaluated by measuring monocyte chemotaxis with use of a human histiocytic cell line (U937). RESULTS Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 concentrations (median and range of values) found in the plasma were higher in patients with endometriosis (163, 0 to 788 pg/ml) than in normal controls (0, 0 to 355 pg/ml). This elevation was significant only in the minimal stage of endometriosis (revised American Fertility Society stage I). However, increased chemotactic activity (mean number of migrating cells/mm2 +/- SEM) was found in the stages I (1240 +/- 141), II (519 +/- 30), and III-IV (523 +/- 23) of the disease compared with normal controls (205 +/- 20). A total of 35% to 44% of this activity was inhibited in the presence of an antibody specific to monocyte chemotactic protein-1. CONCLUSION Endometriosis is associated with increased level and activity of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in the peripheral blood. The elevation and activation of this cytokine could play a relevant role in the immunoinflammatory process associated with the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Akoum
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|