Current concepts in endometriosis.

C A Molgaard, Molgaard CA, Golbeck Al, A L Golbeck, Gresham L, L Gresham, Louise Gresham
The Western journal of medicine · 1985 · vol. 143(1) , pp. 42–6 · PMID:2930948 · PMC1306221 · W1580681143
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This review explores potential epidemiological risk factors and analytical methods for studying endometriosis, acknowledging diagnostic challenges and the need for further research.

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This review article examines the current understanding of endometriosis epidemiology, noting that while case frequency appears to have risen in Western societies over the last twenty-five years, conclusive data on incidence and prevalence remain unavailable. The authors identify various potential risk factors including race, familial predisposition, reproductive history, socioeconomic status, personality type, and a historical decline in the age at menarche. They argue that the diagnosis of this disorder is constrained by significant difficulties, which hampers accurate epidemiological assessment. To address these challenges, the paper proposes the underutilized application of analytic concepts such as case-control studies, survival analyses, and correlations with psychological traits to better understand disease susceptibility. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically addressing its complex epidemiology, diagnostic limitations, and proposed methodological improvements for future research.

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Abstract

There are no conclusive data available on the incidence or prevalence of endometriosis, yet the notion persists that the frequency of cases has dramatically risen in western societies during the past 25 years. Race, familial predisposition, reproductive history, socioeconomic status, personality type and a historical drop in age at menarche have been posited as risk factors for the complex and as-yet-unclear epidemiology of this disorder. The epidemiology of endometriosis is constrained by the difficulty of the diagnosis. Several analytic concepts from epidemiology, however, could be profitably used to further our knowledge of endometriosis. Included are the case-control study, survival and life-table analyses and correlations of psychologic traits with susceptibility to development of the disease. Though none of these techniques is original or without potential for bias, they may be underutilized in solving the conundrum of endometriosis.
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Abstract There are no conclusive data available on the incidence or prevalence of endometriosis, yet the notion persists that the frequency of cases has dramatically risen in western societies during the past 25 years. Race, familial predisposition, reproductive history, socioeconomic status, personality type and a historical drop in age at menarche have been posited as risk factors for the complex and as-yet-unclear epidemiology of this disorder. The epidemiology of endometriosis is constrained by the difficulty of the diagnosis. Several analytic concepts from epidemiology, however, could be profitably used to further our knowledge of endometriosis. Included are the case-control study, survival and life-table analyses and correlations of psychologic traits with susceptibility to development of the disease. Though none of these techniques is original or without potential for bias, they may be underutilized in solving the conundrum of endometriosis. Full text PDFSelected References These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article. - Adamson G. D., Frison L., Lamb E. J. Endometriosis: studies of a method for the design of a surgical staging system. Fertil Steril. 1982 Dec;38(6):659–666. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)46690-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] - Bullough V. L. Age at menarche: a misunderstanding. Science. 1981 Jul 17;213(4505):365–366. doi: 10.1126/science.7017929. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] - Bumpass L. L., Rindfuss R. R., Janosik R. B. Age and marital status at first birth and the pace of subsequent fertility. Demography. 1978 Feb;15(1):75–86. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] - Buttram V. C., Jr Conservative surgery for endometriosis in the infertile female: a study of 206 patients with implications for both medical and surgical therapy. Fertil Steril. 1979 Feb;31(2):117–123. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)43809-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] - Chatman D. L. 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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Adult Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Infertility, Female Infertility, Female Laparoscopy Male

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