Endometriosis and persistent organic pollutants: Preliminary data on Italian and Belgian women

The aim of the study was to assess whether a correlation may be found between dioxin-like compounds exposure and the presence of endometriosis. 22 Italian and 18 Belgian women underwent laparoscopy: 23 cases had endometriosis, 17 women had no evidence of the disease. PCDD+PCDF and/or dioxin-like PCB levels were measured in blood samples. No significant differences were found in "dioxin" levels between women with and without endometriosis, but the body burdens of the Italians resulted significantly lower than that of the Belgians. The latter result and the higher incidence of endometriosis in this Country, makes the hypothesis of a correlation between these chemicals an endometriosis worthwhile to be further explored.