Correlation between pelvic pain and serum MMPs and CA125 levels in patients with endometriosis

Objective To investigate the relationship between pelvic pain and serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) and glycoprotein antigen (CA125) in patients with endometriosis. Methods 102 patients with endometriosis admitted in our hospital from June, 2016 to February, 2019 were divided into 4 groups according to the degree of pelvic pain: a non-pain group (n = 30), a mild pain group (n = 29), a moderate pain group (n = 24), and a severe pain group (19 cases). The serum matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), 7 (MMP7) and 3 (MMP3), as well as serum glycoprotein antigen (CA125), were measured in the four groups. The correlation of the levels of MMP2, MMP7, MMP3 and CA125 with pelvic pain was analyzed. Results The serum levels of MMP2, MMP7, MMP3, and CA125 were the lowest in the non-pain group, followed by those in the mild pain group, the moderate pain group, and the severe pain group, with statistical differences (all P 0, P < 0.05), indicating that, with the increase of the serum levels MMP2, MMP7, MMP3, and CA125, the pelvic pain were more severe in the patients. Conclusion The abnormal high expressions of MMPs and CA125 in serum of patients with endometriosis are closely related to the degree of pelvic pain. Key words: Endometriosis; Pelvic pain; Serum MMPs; CA125; Correlation