Reprint of: Impact of endometriosis on quality of life and work productivity: a multicenter study across ten countries

Kelechi E Nnoaham, Kelechi Nnoaham, Lone Hummelshøj, Lone Hummelshoj, Premila Webster, Thomas D’Hooghe, Thomas d'Hooghe, Fiorenzo de Cicco Nardone, Carlo de Cicco Nardone, Crispin Jenkinson, Stephen H Kennedy, Stephen Kennedy, Krina T Zondervan, World Endometriosis Research Foundation Global Study of Women's Health consortium
Fertility and sterility · 2019 · vol. 112(4) , pp. e137–e152 · doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.08.082 · W4238829191
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⚙ AI-generated summary by claude@2026-06, 2026-06-07 ⓘ

This multicenter study found that endometriosis significantly impairs health-related quality of life and work productivity, with diagnostic delays averaging 6.7 years, particularly in state-funded healthcare systems.

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Abstract

Object:\nTo assess the impact of endometriosis on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and work productivity.\n\nDesign:\nMulticentre cross-sectional study with prospective recruitment.\n\nSetting:\nSixteen clinical centers in ten countries.\n\nPatient(s):\nA total of 1,418 premenopausal women, aged 18-45 years, without a previous surgical diagnosis of endometriosis, having laparoscopy to investigate symptoms or to be sterilized.\n\nIntervention(s):\nNone.\n\nMain Outcome Measure(s):\nDiagnostic delay, HRQoL, and work productivity.\n\nResult(s):\nThere was a delay of 6.7 years, principally in primary care, between onset of symptoms and a surgical diagnosis of endometriosis, which was longer in centers where women received predominantly state-funded health care (8.3 vs. 5.5 years). Delay was positively associated with the number of pelvic symptoms (chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, and heavy periods) and a higher body mass index. Physical HRQoL was significantly reduced in affected women compared with those with similar symptoms and no endometriosis. Each affected woman lost on average 10.8 hours (SD 12.2) of work weekly, mainly owing to reduced effectiveness while working. Loss of productivity translated into significant costs per woman/week, from US$4 in Nigeria to US$456 in Italy.\n\nConclusion(s):\nEndometriosis impairs HRQoL and work productivity across countries and ethnicities, yet women continue to experience diagnostic delays in primary care. A higher index of suspicion is needed to expedite specialist assessment of symptomatic women. Future research should seek to clarify pain mechanisms in relation to endometriosis severity. (Fertil Steril 2011; 96:366-73.)

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Condition tags

endometriosischronic_pelvic_paindysmenorrheadyspareunia

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