Endometriosis beyond the Pelvis: A Case Series of Cutaneous Endometriosis and Literature Review

Introduction: Cutaneous endometriosis is an uncommon but well-known skin disorder that represents about 0.5% to 1% of all endometriosis. The objective of this case series is to report clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of various forms of cutaneous endometriosis. Material and Methods: It was an observational, retrospective and descriptive review of cases presenting with cutaneous endometriosis among Cameroonian women managed at the gynaecological outpatient department of Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital. All the following parameters were analysed: age, parity, previous pelvic surgery, presenting symptoms and duration, associated symptoms, localizations, imaging, size of the lesion, other localization of endometriosis, management and histopathological results. Results: we reported 4 cases of cutaneous endometriosis, with 3 umbilical endometriosis and 1 abdominal scar endometriosis. Patient age ranged from 28 to 39 years with an average of 33 years. All patients described infertility (two primary and two secondary) and two had a history of abdominal surgery. All patients presented local cyclical signs such as pain, swelling, color change and bleeding. The duration of symptoms varied from 2 to 3 years and the size of lesions ranged from 2 to 3.5 cm for umbilical lesions and was 9 cm for abdominal scar endometriosis. In all cases, no imaging was required for the diagnosis, which was suspected on the basis of patient’s history and the cyclical nature of local signs, followed by wide surgical excision and confirmation on histopathology. Conclusion: Cutaneaous endometriosis is a rare benign condition. Umbilical endometriosis seems to be the main cutaneous localization and can be described as primary or secondary. Even if its diagnosis must be confirmed by histopathology, it should be considered in patient with cutaneous cyclic signs such as pain, swelling or bleeding with or without history of abdominal surgery.

Immune pathway through endometriosis to ovarian cancer

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease,defined by the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity.This disease is one of the main gynecological diseases,affecting around 10%-15%women and girls of reproductive age,being a common gynecologic disorder.Although endometriosis is a benign disease,it shares several characteristics with invasive cancer.Studies support that it has been linked with an increased chance of developing endometrial ovarian cancer,representing an earlier stage of neoplastic processes.This is particularly true for women with clear cell carcinoma,low-grade serous carcinoma and endometrioid.However,the carcinogenic pathways between both pathologies remain poorly understood.Current studies suggest a connection between endometriosis and endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers(EAOCs)via pathways associated with oxidative stress,inflammation,and hyperestrogenism.This article aims to review current data on the molecular events linked to the development of EAOCs from endometriosis,specifically focusing on the complex relationship between the immune response to endometriosis and cancer,including the molecular mechanisms and their ramifications.Examining recent developments in immunotherapy and their potential to boost the effectiveness of future treatments.

Distinct molecular targets of ProEGCG from EGCG and superior inhibition of angiogenesis signaling pathways for treatment of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common chronic gynecological disease with endometrial cell implantation outside the uterus.Angiogenesis is a major pathophysiology in endometriosis.Our previous studies have demonstrated that the prodrug of epigallocatechin gallate(ProEGCG)exhibits superior anti-endometriotic and anti-angiogenic effects compared to epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG).However,their direct binding targets and underlying mechanisms for the differential effects remain unknown.In this study,we demonstrated that oral ProEGCG can be effective in preventing and treating endometriosis.Additionally,1D and 2D Proteome Integral Solubility Alteration assay-based chemical proteomics identified metadherin(MTDH)and PX domain containing serine/threonine kinase-like(PXK)as novel binding targets of EGCG and ProEGCG,respectively.Computational simulation and BioLayer interferometry were used to confirm their binding affinity.Our results showed that MTDH-EGCG inhibited protein kinase B(Akt)-mediated angiogenesis,while PXK-ProEGCG inhibited epidermal growth factor(EGF)-mediated angiogenesis via the EGF/hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF-1a)/vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)pathway.In vitro and in vivo knockdown assays and microvascular network imaging further confirmed the involvement of these signaling pathways.Moreover,our study demonstrated that ProEGCG has superior therapeutic effects than EGCG by targeting distinct signal transduction pathways and may act as a novel antiangiogenic therapy for endometriosis.

Acute abdominal pain from ovarian endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common,estrogen-dependent,inflammatory,gynecologic disease process in which normal endometrial tissue is abnormally present outside the uterine cavity.[1]Endometriosis is a common cause of chronic pain,dyspareunia,dysmenorrhea,and infertility.Most commonly,endometriosis is found within the pelvis,specifically on the ovaries.Because of rupture,bleeding,infection,or torsion,ovarian endometriosis(OMA)may cause acute abdominal pain,which is similar to acute abdominal pain caused by other reasons and is not easy to diagnose.[2,3]Determining the clinical and pathological features of OMA is crucial for accurate assessment,diagnosis,and treatment.

Can Tibetan medicine Honghua Ruyi pills relieve endometriosisassociated dysmenorrhea?Protocol for a randomized placebocontrolled trial

Objective:To provide high-quality clinical evidence of the efficacy of Tibetan medicine Honghua Ruyi(HHRY)pills for endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea.Methods:This study constitutes a multicenter,randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial encompassing a three-menstrual cycle intervention followed by a three-menstrual cycle follow-up period.A total of 164 eligible females with endometriosis-associated dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into HHRY pills and placebo groups in a 1:1 ratio.The primary outcome included dysmenorrhea symptoms assessed using Visual Analog Scale(VAS)scores and quality of life,whereas the secondary outcome measures included the maximum VAS for non-menstrual pelvic pain,duration of pain episodes(in days),frequency and quantity of the consumption of ibuprofen sustained-release capsules(or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs),and days off work/study for staff/student due to dysmenorrhea,ovarian cyst,and/or pelvic nodule size.The safety was monitored throughout the treatment period.All the analyses were based on the intention-to-treat principle.For continuous outcomes,simple or multiple linear regressions were used to estimate the differences between the HHRY pills and placebo groups,with categorical data expressed as the number and percentage of occurrences.Differences were compared using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test.The predefined analysis was adjusted for concomitant treatment,a variable considered to be associated with outcomes but unaffected by treatment allocation.Estimates of treatment effects were reported with 95%confidence intervals.Two-tailed P values≤.05 were considered statistically significant.Conclusion:Positive results from this trial,upon completion would provide robust evidence for the efficacy and safety of HHRY pills in treating dysmenorrhea in patients with endometriosis.

Comparison of ovarian preservation versus oophorectomy on fertility outcomes in patients with endometriosis post-laparoscopic surgery:A prospective study

BACKGROUND Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting a significant proportion of women of reproductive age.Although laparoscopic surgery is commonly the preferred treatment,the decision to preserve or remove the ovaries remains controversial.Previous studies have yielded inconsistent results regarding the impact of ovarian preservation vs oophorectomy on fertility outcomes and disease recurrence.This prospective study aimed to address this knowledge gap by comparing the effects of these surgical approaches on spontaneous pregnancy rates,time to pregnancy,recurrence rates,and postoperative pain in patients with endometriosis.AIM To compare the reproductive outcomes and recurrence rates between ovarian preservation and oophorectomy in women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis.METHODS This study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital between January 2019 and December 2023.A total of 312 women aged 18 to 40 years,diagnosed with endometriosis and undergoing laparoscopic surgery,were included.The patients were categorized into the ovarian preservation group(n=204)and the oophorectomy group(n=108).The primary outcome measure was the achievement of spontaneous pregnancy within 24 months post-surgery.Secondary outcomes included time to spontaneous pregnancy,recurrence rates,and postoperative pain scores.RESULTS The ovarian preservation group exhibited a significantly higher spontaneous pregnancy rate than that in the oophorectomy group(43.6%vs 28.7%,P=0.006).Moreover,the median time to spontaneous pregnancy was shorter in the ovarian preservation group(8.2 months vs 11.4 months,P=0.018).Nonetheless,endometriosis recurrence was more prevalent in the ovarian preservation group(22.1%vs 11.1%,P=0.014).The postoperative pain scores demonstrated similar improvements in both groups,with no significant differences observed.Subgroup analyses indicated that the benefit of ovarian preservation on spontaneous pregnancy rates was more evident among younger women(≤35 years)and those with advanced-stage endometriosis.CONCLUSION Ovarian preservation is associated with a high spontaneous pregnancy rate and a short time to pregnancy.However,because of the increased risk of recurrence,the decision should be based on age,fertility aspirations,and disease severity.

Effect of dienogest treatment on uterine fibroid volume in patients with endometriosis or adenomyosis complicated by uterine fibroids

BACKGROUND Currently,the use of dienogest in clinical practice has increased significantly,and many studies have focused on its effectiveness and safety in the treatment of endometriosis and adenomyosis;however,the effects of treatment with dienogest on uterine fibroid size in patients with endometriosis or adenomyosis have not been investigated.AIM To explore changes in fibroid size in patients with concomitant uterine fibroids undergoing dienogest treatment for endometriosis or adenomyosis and to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the drug.METHODS The clinical data of patients with uterine fibroids treated with dienogest for endometriosis or adenomyosis at Peking University First Hospital from January 2021 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS The maximum uterine fibroid diameter and volume increased after 3 months,6 months and 1 year of dienogest treatment compared with those before treatment(P<0.01).The maximum diameter and volume of the uterine adenomyoma increased after 3 months of dienogest treatment but decreased after 6 months and 1 year of treatment compared with those before treatment,but the difference was not significant(P>0.05).Endometrial thickness and antigen 125 levels were significantly thinner and decreased,respectively,after dienogest treatment(P<0.01).Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that the increase in uterine fibroid volume after 3 months of dienogest treatment was positively correlated with the basic uterine fibroid volume(r=0.792,P<0.01).Among 64 patients with dysmenorrhea,63 experienced significant relief of dysmenorrhea after 6 months of treatment with dienogest,and all patients experienced significant relief of dysmenorrhea after 12 months.Patients were able to tolerate the drugs,with an average drug tolerance score of 8.73.CONCLUSION The use of dienogest in patients with endometriosis or adenomyosis combined with uterine fibroids can effectively relieve the patient's pain symptoms and significantly reduce the sizes of ovarian endometriotic cysts,but it cannot inhibit uterine fibroid growth.

Analysis of risk factors for postoperative anxiety and depression in endometriosis patients with reproductive intention

BACKGROUND The occurrence of postoperative depression and anxiety in patients with endomet-riosis(EMS)not only causes psychological distress,but may also harm their physical health.AIM To explore the postoperative depression status,and its influencing factors,of EMS patients with reproductive intention.METHODS A total of 321 EMS patients with reproductive intent were included.Using the self-rating anxiety scale and self-rating depression scale,EMS patients with anxiety or depression were distinguished.A clinical model for predicting anxiety or depression in EMS patients was constructed and evaluated using a nomogram,receiver operating characteristic curve,and calibration curve.RESULTS The results of the single factor analysis showed that smoking,coffee,EMS stage,chronic pelvic pain,and sexual discomfort may be related to anxiety.Further,smoking,drinking,spouse,annual household income and EMS stage may be related to depression in EMS patients.Multivariate logistic regression illustrated that smoking,coffee,chronic pelvic pain and sexual discomfort may be inde-pendent risk factors for anxiety in EMS patients,while smoking,EMS stage(Phase III and Phase IV),spouse and high annual household income may be independent risk factors for depression in EMS patients.Additionally,the models used to predict the risk of anxiety or depression in EMS patients have good predictive value.CONCLUSION The anxiety and depression of EMS patients may be related to many factors.In clinical treatment,additional attention should be paid to the psychological status of EMS patients.

Clinical Effectiveness of Dienogest in the Treatment of Endometriosis

Objective:This paper aims to investigate the efficacy of desogestrel in the treatment of endometriosis.Methods:In this study,61 patients with endometriosis in our hospital from January 2023 to December 2023 were selected and divided using the random sampling method.All the patients were treated with desogestrel and the pain symptom scores and HDL-C(high-density lipoprotein cholesterol)levels of the patients were compared before and after the treatment.The treatment effects and adverse effects during the administration of the drug were closely observed.Results:After the patients were treated with desogestrel,the effective rate of treatment was as high as 98.36%,and the incidence of adverse reactions during treatment was 6.55%.Compared with the pre-treatment period,the scores of various pain symptoms were significantly reduced and the HDL-C level was improved after treatment,with P<0.05.Conclusion:Desogestrel showed significant efficacy in the treatment of endometriosis,effectively relieving patients’pain while elevating HDL-C levels.In addition,the incidence of adverse reactions to this drug is relatively low,which is worth utilizing.

Rectal Endometriosis Revealed by a Colonic Tumor Obstruction: A Case Report

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue that is located outside the uterine cavity, associated with fibrosis and inflammatory reaction. The most common atypical locations are the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, lung, as well as abdominal surgical scars. Its diagnosis is still very difficult, especially when it manifests itself as an acute large bowel obstruction. We report the rare case of a 41-year-old patient diagnosed with acute colonic obstruction following a rectal tumor. She had undergone colonostomy even though colonoscopy biopsies were nonspecific, and a computed tomography (CT) scan was requested. It showed an adnexal heterogenous mass, therefore the patient had a laparotomy and a subtotal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and a biopsy of the recto-colonic hinge. Histologic examination revealed a diagnosis of rectal endometriosis. The purpose of this work is to report a rare case of colonic endometriosis responsible for an acute large bowel obstruction.

Hupo powder promotes autophagy of menstrual blood-derived stem cells from patients with endometriosis

Objective:To explore the effect of Hupo powder(HP)on autophagy in menstrual blood-derived stem cells(MenSCs)with endometriosis(EMT).Methods:EMT MenSCs(E-MenSCs)and healthy MenSCs(H-MenSCs)were isolated from the menstrual blood of patients with EMT and healthy female participants,respectively.We identified their stem cells’characteristics via adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation.Twelve male SpragueeDawley rats received 0.9% NaCl and HP-dispensing granules by gastric irrigation to prepare blank serum and medicated serum,respectively.We used serum concentrations of 5%,10%,and 20%,each at administered times of 12,24,and 48 h to select the best condition.These cells were divided into three groups:blank serum of the control group,blank serum of the model group,and medicated serum of the HP group.H-MenSCs were used in the control group,while E-MenSCs were used in the model and HP groups.We analyzed cell viability using a cell counting kit-8 assay,observed cell morphology,evaluated the amounts of auto-phagosomes and autolysosomes by transmission electron microscopy,and detected the protein expression of autophagy markers(LC3-II and Beclin1)by Western blot.Results:E-MenSCs and H-MenSCs became long fusiform with a diffuse radial pattern,forming lipid droplets and calcium nodules after adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation.We then used the best conditiond 20% serum and 48 hdfor the subsequent experiments.In contrast to the model group,the HP group exhibited lower cell viability(=0.007),larger amounts of autophagosomes and autolysosomes(P<0.001 and P=0.001,respectively),and higher expression of LC3-II and Beclin1(P=0.021 and P=0.019,respectively).Conclusion:Hupo powder can promote autophagy in E-MenSCs,which might be one of the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects.

Histone lactylation promotes cell proliferation,migration and invasion through targeting HMGB1 in endometriosis

Endometriosis is defined as a condition with endometrium-like tissues migrating outside of the pelvic cavity.However,the mechanism of endometriosis is still unclear.Lactate can be covalently modified to lysine residues of histones and other proteins,which is called lactylation.The results showed that the higher level of lactate and lactate dehydrogenase A enhanced the histone H3 lysine 18 lactylation(H3K18lac)in ectopic endometrial tissues and ectopic endometrial stromal cells than that in normal endometrial tissues and normal endometrial stromal cells.Lactate promoted cell proliferation,migration,and invasion in endometriosis.Mechanistically,lactate induced H3K18lac to promote the expression of high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1)in endometriosis,and HMGB1 knockdown significantly reduced the cell proliferation,migration,and invasion of the lactate-treated cells through the phosphorylation of AKT.In conclusion,lactate could induce histone lactylation to promote endometriosis progression by upregulating the expression of HMGB1,which may provide a novel target for the prevention and treatment of endometriosis.

Identification of EML4 as a key hub gene for endometriosis and its molecular mechanism and potential drug prediction based on the GEO database

Objective:Key genes were screened to analyze molecular mechanisms and their drug targets of endometriosis by applying a bioinformatics approach.Methods:Gene expression profiles of endometriosis and healthy controls were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.Significant differentially expressed genes were screened using the limma package.Correlation pathways were screened by Spearman correlation analysis on the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4(EML4)and enrichment in endometriosis pathways and estimated by the GSVA package.Immune characteristics were assessed by the“ESTIMATE”R package.Potential regulatory pathways were determined by enrichment analysis.The SWISS-MODE website was used in homology modeling with EML4 and EML4 protein activity was predicted.VarElect was employed in molecular docking for screening potential compound inhibitors targeting endometriosis.Results:Ten endometriosis and 10 normal samples were included.EML4 was significantly upregulated in endometriosis(p<0.05).Thirty significantly correlated pathways involving 18 positive and 12 negative correlations,including GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN_BIOSYNTHESIS_HEPARAN_SULFATE and GLYCOSPHINGOLIPID_BIOSYNTHESIS_GANGLIO_SERIES were screened between EML4 and endometriosis.Immunocorrelation analysis showed a significant difference in immune-related pathways in endometriosis and normal samples(p<0.05).In endometriosis,EML4 was associated with T-cell CD4 resting memory,activated mast cells,plasma cells,activated NK cells,M2 macrophages,and follicular helper T cells(p<0.05).Molecular docking identified five potential inhibitors of EML4,and compound DB05104(asimadoline)bound well to EML4 protein to exert its physiological effects.Conclusion:Differential gene expression and immune correlation analyses revealed that EML4 may affect endometriosis through multiple targets and pathways,the mechanism of which involved immune cell activation and infiltration.Molecular docking and dynamics simulation verified DB05104 as a potential inhibitor of EML4 and a powerful target for endometriosis treatment.

Squamous cell carcinoma associated with endometriosis in the uterus and ovaries:A case report

BACKGROUND Endometriosis is a common benign gynecological disease that causes dysmenorrhea in women of childbearing age.Malignant tumors derived from endometriosis are rarely reported and are found in only 1%of all patients with endometriosis.Here,we report a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)caused by squamous metaplasia of endometriosis that co-occurred in the uterus and ovaries.CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old postmenopausal woman had a 6-month history of irregular uterine bleeding.The uterus and adnexa were examined by computed tomography,and there were two solid cystic masses in the pelvis and right adnexa.Histological findings of surgical specimens showed well-differentiated SCC arising from squamous metaplasia of ectopic endometrial glands in the uterus and ovaries.The patient received chemotherapy after surgery and was followed up for 3 mo without metastasis.CONCLUSION The continuity between ectopic endometrial glands and SCC supports that SCC originates from ectopic endometrial glands with metaplasia towards squamous epithelium.

Endometriosis of the lung: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Lung endometriosis is an extremely rare gynecological disease.Current literature reports suggest that the majority of patients will present with only generic symptoms,such as hemoptysis,pneumothorax,and hemopneumothorax,which often leads to misdiagnosis.To date,there are 18 case reports of lung endometriosis that describe the clinical manifestation,imaging changes,treatment,and prognosis of the disease.To provide further insights into this rare disease,we present a new case report and a brief review of pulmonary endometriosis.CASE SUMMARY We report here about a 19-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital for repeated catamenial hemoptysis over a 3-mo period.computed tomography(CT)imaging during menstruation revealed patchy high-density shadows,approximately 0.5 cm3 in size,in the right middle lobe of the lung.The patient’s hemoptysis and changes in the CT scans resolved after menstruation.Thoracoscopic right middle lobectomy,right lower lung repair,and closed thoracic drainage were performed.Postoperative histopathology confirmed lung endometriosis.There was no recurrence of symptoms at the 6 mo follow-up.CONCLUSION We propose diagnosing lung endometriosis by thoroughly taking reproductive history,clinical details,imaging,and histopathology followed by treatment with surgical resection.

Rapidly growing extensive polypoid endometriosis after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist discontinuation:A case report

BACKGROUND Polypoid endometriosis(PEM)is a rare and unique type of endometriosis.To date,no article has provided a systematic report of this disease.The current article provides a complete report on rare PEM based on ultrasound,magnetic resonance imaging,intraoperative findings and postoperative pathology data.CASE SUMMARY A 38-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital after complaining of“vague pain in the right lower quadrant with an aggravated menstrual period for 8 mo”.The patient underwent laparoscopic exploratory surgery on January 7,2022.The postoperative pathology revealed extensive PEM.CONCLUSION PEM is a type of endometriosis that is a benign disease but has biological properties similar to malignant tumours.

Expression and correlation of pyroptosis-related markers and PI3K/AKT pathway in endometriosis

Objective:The expression of pyroptosis related factors GSDMD,Caspase-1,NLRP3,IL-1β,IL-18 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways in ovarian endometriosis was investigated and their correlations analyzed.Methods:A total of 50 patients with endometriosis who underwent ovarian cystectomy in the Department of Gynecology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College from January 2022 to January 2023 were enrolled as endometriosis group.In addition,55 patients with normal endometrial tissue who underwent hysteroscopic surgery in the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group,and patients with endometriosis were excluded during the operation.RT-qPCR,Western Blot was used to detect the expression of pyroptosis-related factor and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway mRAN,protein in the above tissues,and the correlation between the expression of the two was analyzed by Pearson correlation test.Results:The expression of pyroptosis-related factors and mRAN of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in ectopic ovarian cyst tissues was significantly higher than that in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that pyroptosis-related factors in ectopic ovarian cysts were positively correlated with the mRNA expression levels of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway(P<0.05).Conclusion:The pyroptosis correlation factors GSDMD,Caspase-1,NLRP3,IL-1β,IL-18 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways are highly expressed in ovarian endometriosis,and the pyroptosis-related factors are positively correlated with the expression of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,suggesting that the regulation of endometriosis by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is likely to be achieved by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Difficulties Faced by Physicians in the Diagnosis of Endometriosis in the Brazilian Public Health System

Endometriosis is a clinical and recurrent condition characterized by the presence of functional endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and myometrium. It is estimated that 6% to 10% of women of reproductive age, 50% to 60% of adolescents and adults with pelvic pain, and up to 50% of women with infertility are pregnant from the condition. However, this proportion tends to be even greater due to the difficulty in diagnosing it: because it presents different symptoms, lack of information from health professionals, and a high-cost diagnostic test. Another aggravating factor is the average time from the onset of symptoms to the medical diagnosis, which even today ranges from five to ten years;this delay has consequences for disease progression, as it prevents early treatment, which is important for improving pain levels and physical and psychological well-being. Aware of these mishaps, it is therefore important to assess the difficulties faced by doctors in the diagnosis of endometriosis in the public health system, in Brazil, the Unified Health System (SUS). With this purpose, a cross sectional was carried out, developed in the virtual environment using traffic in Google forms, with the difficulties quantified in the Likert scale. Participating physicians pointed out a medium difficulty for patients with endometriosis to access the consultation (58%) and moderate difficulty (52%) to perform an ultrasound examination;also signaled great difficulty in performing magnetic resonance imaging (77%) and laparotomy (61%) in these patients. It is hoped that knowledge about the difficulties faced by physicians in the diagnosis of endometriosis in the SUS will give these physicians a voice and corroborate, even if minimally, so that there is more research that provokes the search for these difficulties, in order to improving the quality of life of these women.

Diagnosis Delay and Assessment of the Quality of Life of Patients with Endometriosis Using the Endometriosis Health Profile 5 Questionnaire in a Sub-Saharan Population

Context: Endometriosis is a pathology that directly affects the daily lives of women with frequent impairment of their quality of life. In our environment, medical, socio-cultural, financial factors and factors related to the organization of the health care system greatly delay its diagnosis. The objectives of the present study were to determine the diagnosis delay and to assess the quality of life before surgery of women with endometriosis using the specific Endometriosis Health Profile 5 (EHP-5) questionnaire. Methods: We carried out a descriptive, observational, retrospective study in 8 medical centers in the City of Kinshasa, from January 2019 to October 2022. A total of 80 women with endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy (16 diagnostic and 64 operative laparoscopies) and histopathology were interviewed. We used the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine (rASMR) classification, the Endometriosis Fertility Index (EFI) score was calculated for infertile women and the EHP-5 questionnaire to assess quality of life. Our data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Analysis Software 16.1 (STATA 16.1). Results: Diagnosis delay of endometriosis was on average 12 ± 4.3 years. The overall mean EHP-5 score of all patients showed a severe deterioration in quality of life (604 ± 235). A negative relationship was observed between the age of the patient, the diagnostic delay, and the alteration of the quality of life in patients over 36 years old and those with about 11 years of diagnostic delay presenting the slight alteration. Patients with a high social level had very severe quality impairment. Women on hormonal treatment, those with a history of pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage and abortion had a slight and significant deterioration in quality of life (p 0.05). Conclusion: Despite some limitations, our preliminary study highlights that in sub-Saharan Africa, the diagnosis of endometriosis is delayed and associated with a severe alteration in quality of life. Moreover, diagnosis of endometriosis seems to be restricted to women with high social levels. Therefore, further efforts are required to develop a health policy to decrease delay for diagnosis with potential benefits on symptoms, quality of life, fertility while limiting stigma and psychological effects of this debilitating pathology.

Epidemiological Profile and Location of Lesions According to #ENZIAN of Patients Operated on for Endometriosis in a Public Endoscopic Surgery Centre, Yaounde, Cameroon

Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic disease affecting approximately 10% of women. Our aim was to describe the epidemiological profile, clinical presentation and location of lesions in patients operated on for endometriosis. Methodology: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection over a period of 05 years from 1 January 2017 to 31 March 2022. Our study population consisted of women who had undergone laparoscopy for endometriosis. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 23.0. Results: In total we included 159 patients who had undergone laparoscopy for endometriosis. The mean age was 32.9 ± 5.9 years, most of whom were nuligravida 61.6% (n = 99). Infertility was the most frequent reason for consultation, accounting for 72.3% (n = 115), followed by dysmenorrhoea in 60.8% (n = 96) of cases and chronic pelvic pain in 37.7% (n = 60). In addition, 46 (28.9%) patients complained of deep dyspareunia, 17 (10.7%) of dyschezia and nine (5.7%) of dysuria. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used in one patient. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed directly in 77 (48.4%) patients. The lesions were multifocal, according to the #ENZIAN classification nomenclature. Tubal lesions were most frequently found 107 (67.3%) on the left, followed by compartment B (uterosacral ligaments, cardinal ligaments and lateral pelvic wall) 49.7% (n = 79), and endometriomas 40.9% (n = 65). Conclusion: Women operated on for endometriosis were of a more advanced age, and predominantly nulliparous. Infertility was the most frequent reason for consultation and tubal location most frequently encountered for superficial lesions and compartiment B for deep lesions according to #ENZIA.