Patients With Endometriosis of the Rectosigmoid Have a Higher Percentage of Natural Killer Cells in Peripheral Blood

Dias JA Jr, João Dias, João Antonio Dias, Sérgio Podgaec, de Oliveira RM, Ricardo Manoel de Oliveira, Maria Lucia Carnevale Marin, Carnevale Marin ML, Maria Lúcia Carnevale Marin, Edmund Chadad Baracat, E.C. Baracat, Baracat EC, Abrão MS, Mauricio Simões Abrão, Maurício Simões Abrão
Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology · 2012 · vol. 19(3) , pp. 317–324 · doi:10.1016/j.jmig.2011.12.021 · PMID:22348900 · W2044540761
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Patients with rectosigmoid endometriosis exhibit a greater proportion of natural killer cells in their peripheral blood compared to controls.

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Abstract

Study objectiveTo estimate the concentration of natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood in patients with and without endometriosis.DesignCase-control study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).SettingTertiary referral hospital.PatientsOne hundred fifty-five patients who had undergone videolaparoscopy were divided into 2 groups: those with endometriosis (n = 100) and those without endometriosis (n = 55).InterventionsThe percentage of NK cells relative to peripheral lymphocytes was quantified at flow cytometry in 155 patients who had undergone laparoscopy. In addition to verifying the presence of endometriosis, stage of disease and the sites affected were also evaluated.Measurements and main resultsThe mean (SD) percentage of NK cells was higher (15.3% [9.8%]) in patients with endometriosis than in the group without the disease (10.6% [5.8%]) (p < .001). The percentage of NK cells was highest (19.8 [10.3%]) in patients with advanced stages of endometriosis and in those in whom the rectosigmoid colon was affected. In a statistical model of probability, the association of this marker (NK cells ≥11%) with the presence of symptoms such as pain and intestinal bleeding during menstruation and the absence of previous pregnancy yielded a 78% likelihood of the rectosigmoid colon being affected.ConclusionCompared with patients without endometriosis, those with endometriosis demonstrate a higher concentration of peripheral NK cells. The percentage of NK cells is greater, primarily in patients with advanced stages of endometriosis involving the rectosigmoid colon. Therefore, it may serve as a diagnostic marker for this type of severe endometriosis, in particular if considered in conjunction with the symptoms.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Killer Cells, Natural Sigmoid Diseases Adult Case-Control Studies Endometriosis Endometriosis Female Humans Killer Cells, Natural Lymphocyte Count Sigmoid Diseases Sigmoid Diseases

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