Prevalence of Endometriosis and Peritoneal Pockets in Women with Infertility and/or Pelvic Pain

Philippe R. Koninckx, Koninckx PR, Ussia A, Anastasia Ussia, Keckstein J, J. Keckstein, Jörg Keckstein, Adamyan L, Leila Adamyan, L.V. Adamyan, Arnaud Wattiez, Wattiez A, Martin DC, Dan C. Martin
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC · 2021 · vol. 43(8) , pp. 935–942 · doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2021.04.009 · PMID:33984522 · W3161991543
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This study investigated the prevalence of endometriosis and peritoneal pockets in women experiencing infertility and/or pelvic pain.

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of endometriosis and peritoneal pockets and to analyze whether these pockets are associated with pain.MethodsAnalysis of prospectively registered data of all women undergoing laparoscopy for infertility or pelvic pain between 1988 and 2011 at KU Leuven University Hospital.ResultsOf 4497 women, 191 had 238 pockets, with a prevalence of 4.7% in women with infertility only, 4.9% in women with infertility and pelvic pain, and 3.5% in women with pelvic pain only (P = 0.045 for all infertility vs. pelvic pain only). Prevalence did not vary by age. Pockets were associated with endometriosis (P < 0.0001), which was found in 77% of women with pockets. Among women with infertility only, the prevalence of endometriosis was higher in women with pockets (P = 0.0001) than in women without. The prevalence of endometriosis was similar in women with infertility and pelvic pain or pelvic pain only. Pelvic pain as an indication for surgery was associated simultaneously (through logistic regression) with endometriosis (P < 0.0001) and pockets (P = 0.040). Pelvic pain severity was associated simultaneously with pockets (P = 0.0026) and the severity of subtle (P = 0.001), typical (P = 0.030), cystic ovarian (P = 0.051), and deep endometriosis (P < 0.0001). Pelvic pain severity was not associated with endometriosis in the pockets or the diameter or location of pockets.ConclusionsThe prevalence of pockets was low, at between 3.5% and 5%. Women with infertility only and pockets had more endometriosis than women without. Severe pelvic pain and pelvic pain as an indication for surgery were associated with the presence of pockets as well as the presence and severity of endometriosis.

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Condition tags

endometriosischronic_pelvic_paininfertility

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Infertility, Female Infertility, Female Laparoscopy Female Humans Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Pelvic Pain Peritoneum Prevalence

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Cited by (8)

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