[Endometriosis and quality of life].

OBJECTIVE: This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the possibilities of evaluating the impact of symptoms of endometriosis on quality of life of affected women and to overview the effect of treatment modalities in improving of the quality of their life. DESIGN: Review article. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague. METHODS: Review of results of published studies evaluating quality of life in patients with endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of endometriosis decrease the quality of life of affected women, which has significant impact on society. Since the extent of endometriosis does not correlate with subjective complaints, it is suitable to evaluate the quality of life of patients in addition to assessment of the extent and classification of the disease (according to internationally accepted classification). The quality of life could be measured and compared by structured interviews or by validated questionnaires. Pharmacological as well as surgical treatment significantly improve quality of life of patients with endometriosis. Routine use of validated questionnaires of quality of life in patients with endometriosis might improve the assessment of severity of the disease and evaluation of effectiveness of the treatment in the future.