| Contributors: |
Parazzini, F; Ardovino, I; Struzziero, E; Zanardi, E; Pungetti, D; Mais, Valerio; Ajossa, S; Mignemi, G; Di Leo, L; Bianchi, A; Campobasso, C; Scarselli, Gf; Bracco, G; Capetta, P; Bertulessi, C; Moroni, S; Mazza, P; Vercellini, P; Crosignani, Pg; Modena, Ab; Casa, A; Massobrio, M; Ansaldi, C; Trossarelli, Gf; Gervasi, Mt; Marsoni, V; Guaschino, S; Luigi, Troiano; Ricci, G; Beretta, P; Franchi, M. |
| Description: |
Objective: The objective of the study was to analyse the relationship between selected characteristics and risk of pelvic endometriosis. Study design: Eligible for the study were 817 women with primary or secondary infertility or pelvic pain requiring laparoscopy. Of these, 393 were included for infertility and 424 for pelvic pain. Results: A total of 345 (42.2%) had a diagnosis of endometriosis and 472 did not have the disease. Multiparous women had endomertriosos less frequently than nulliparous, the estimated odds ratios (OR) were respectively 0.9 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.5-1.6) and 0.4 (95% CI 0.2-0.7) in women reporting one and two or more births. In comparison with women reporting no spontaneous abortion, the estimated OR was 0.3 (95% CI 0.2-0.5) in those who reported greater than or equal to 1 miscarriage. In comparison with women reporting menstrual cycles lasting greater than or equal to 25 days subjects with totally irregular menstrual cycles had a reduced risk of endometriosis (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3-0.9). No significant association emerged between smoking, age at menarche and risk of endometriosis. Conclusions: this study confirms, with a different methodological approach to previously published studies, that multiparity, a history of abortion and lifelong irregular menstrual pattern decrease the risk of endometriosis in women with pelvic pain and infertility. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. |