Thomas D'Hooghe

PROBLEM: The lack of a reliable method for early non-invasive detection of endometriosis often results in delayed diagnosis. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the plasma concentration of complement factor C3a (anaphylato…

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that menstruation is associated with a higher concentration of endometrial cells in peritoneal fluid(PF) and with increased white and red blood cell concentration in PF when c…

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of histologically proven endometriosis in a subset of infertile women.DesignRetrospective case series with electronic file search and multivariable logistic regression analysis.SettingTertiary academic f…

CONTEXT: substantial evidence suggests that the expression of steroid metabolizing enzymes in endometriosis is altered, turning the ectopic endometrium into a source of 17beta-estradiol. However, whether these differences result in a net in…

Endometriosis is a benign, estrogen-dependent disease and is now recognized as an enigmatic disease owing to its various clinical manifestations and locations. The lack of a reliable and specific method for the early detection of endometrio…

ObjectiveTo evaluate the mechanism of action of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-binding protein-1 by assessing differential expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and growth and adhesion f…

UNLABELLED: Endometriosis is a benign gynecological disease with an unclear pathophysiology characterized by ectopic endometrium causing endometrium-like inflammatory lesions outside the uterine cavity. Recently, a number of studies have in…

Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. Although the prevalence of endometriosis is well documented in women living in developed countries, studies on the preva…

In women of reproductive age, health economic costs are estimated to be considerably higher for endometriosis than for conditions such as Crohn's disease, migraine and hypertension, and similar to the cost of diabetes. However, more awarene…

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of a thiazolidinedione (TZD) agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, rosiglitazone, in a baboon model of established endometriosis. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, placebo-co…

Started at the grassroot level, increased awareness and investment in research has resulted in unprecedented recognition of endometriosis by the European Parliament, taken up by the Italian Senate in a 5-year action plan. This offers welcom…

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease and estrogen-related pathways are imbalanced in women with endometriosis. One of the key enzymes in estrogen synthesis is aromatase. Inhibiting this pathway at several points is a promising ide…

10.2217/17455057.3.5.615 © part of Short biography Thomas D’Hooghe Clinical Head, Leuven University Fertility Center; Chair, European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology Special Interest Group for Endometriosis; Editor-in-Chief, G…

In everyday clinical practice, it is not always clear if and when exactly in the fertility work-up a diagnostic laparoscopy should be offered. The aim of this review is to analyse the available evidence with respect to alternative diagnosti…

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that the cumulative endometriosis recurrence rate (CERR) after fertility surgery for endometriosis stage III or IV is increased in women exposed to very high E(2) levels during ovarian hyperstimulation (OH) f…

Centres/networks of excellence are the only way forward to ensure that women with endometriosis receive consistent, evidence-based care, ensuring excellence, continuity of care, multi-disciplinarity, research, training and cost-effectivenes…

ObjectiveThe association between infertility and minimal to mild endometriosis is controversial and poorly understood. The clinical pregnancy rate (PR) per cycle after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with or without intrauterine i…

The objective was to develop recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis and its associated symptoms. A working group was convened comprised of practising gynaecologists and experts in evidence-based medicine from Europ…

Endometriosis is associated with chronic inflammation, including an increased macrophage activity with increased secretion of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or TNF superfamily member 2, previously known as TNFalpha. In the p…

This article presents an overview of immunologic/inflammatory factors related to endometriosis with special attention to their potential relevance to future treatment strategies. The development of endometriosis appears to involve several i…

A bstract : Endometriosis is an important gynecological disease, pathologically defined by the ectopic presence of both endometrial glands and stroma, and clinically associated with pelvic pain and infertility. Our current knowledge of the …

There are many arguments to support the hypothesis that there is a causal relationship between the presence of endometriosis and subfertility. These arguments are reviewed in this article and include: (1) an increased prevalence of endometr…