Abdominal Bloating: An Under-recognized Endometriosis Symptom

Georgina Luscombe, Georgina M Luscombe, Markham R, Robert Markham, Mirari Judio, Judio M, Grigoriu A, Ariadna Grigoriu, A Grigoriu, Ian S. Fraser, Fraser Is
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC · 2009 · vol. 31(12) , pp. 1159–1171 · doi:10.1016/s1701-2163(16)34377-8 · PMID:20085682 · W2105402316
article OA: closed CC0 ⤵ 37 in-corpus citations
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This paper identifies abdominal bloating as an under-recognized symptom of endometriosis, highlighting its potential impact on patient diagnosis and management.

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the association between the symptom of abdominal bloating and the diagnosis of endometriosis.MethodsTwenty-six patients with endometriosis diagnosed by laparoscopy and 25 women without endometriosis were recruited to a case-control study. Subjects completed detailed questionnaires regarding perception of abdominal bloating, bloating-related symptoms, and effect on lifestyle. Abdominal girth was measured three times daily for one whole menstrual cycle, as were ratings of perceived abdominal bloating severity and discomfort. Experiences of abdominal and gastrointestinal symptoms were compared.ResultsA significantly larger proportion of women with endometriosis than control subjects experienced abdominal bloating (96% vs. 64%). In women with abdominal bloating, the following were more common in those who had endometriosis: associated severe discomfort (30% vs. 0%), wearing loose clothes during bloating (87% vs. 38%), and simultaneous hand swelling (30% vs. 6%). The experiences of cyclically related diarrhea and constipation were more frequent with endometriosis. While there were significant changes in bloating and discomfort ratings across the menstrual cycle, there was a trend towards a difference between the control subjects and unmedicated endometriosis groups only in how the pattern of bloating severity fluctuated across the cycle. Lower abdominal girth measurements changed significantly across menstrual cycle phases. Control and unmedicated endometriosis groups differed significantly in girth changes across the menstrual cycle, controls experiencing much less variation. Compared with the unmedicated endometriosis group, women receiving hormonal treatment had higher bloating severity ratings and discomfort scores, but there was no objective difference in abdominal girth.ConclusionPainful abdominal bloating appears to be common in women with endometriosis and causes considerable symptomatic distress.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Abdomen Abdominal Pain Endometriosis Gastrointestinal Diseases Abdomen Abdominal Pain Abdominal Pain Adult Analysis of Variance Case-Control Studies Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Gastrointestinal Diseases Gastrointestinal Diseases Humans Laparoscopy Menstrual Cycle Middle Aged Severity of Illness Index

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

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Cited by (38)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK