Increased mast cells in endocervical smears of women with dysmenorrhea

BACKGROUND: Mast cells are observed in peritoneal endometriosis which causes dysmenorrhea. However, there is no report about the relationship between endocervical mast cells and dysmenorrhea. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship using endocervical smears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2016 and June 2016, patients filled out a questionnaire regarding dysmenorrhea and were classified into the dysmenorrhea or the control group (without dysmenorrhea). Patients underwent endocervical brushing and endocervical smears were obtained. The smears were stained with methylene blue to detect mast cells. The number of mast cells per slide was counted by microscopy and recorded. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were enrolled in this study (dysmenorrhea group, 34; control group, 55). The median number of mast cells present in the endocervical one slides was 35 (interquartile range, 17-58) and 2 (interquartile range, 0-6) in the dysmenorrhea and control groups, respectively. There was a significant difference in the number of mast cells between the two groups (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: More mast cells were observed in the endocervical smears of women with dysmenorrhea than in those of women without dysmenorrhea.