DOI: 10.18410/jebmh/2015/607
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
FAMILIAL TENDENCIES OF ENDOMETRIOSIS: A CROSS SECTIONAL
STUDY
Cooly Vijayalakshmi1, K. Mythili2
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE:
Cooly Vijayalakshmi, K. Mythili. ”Familial Tendencies of Endometriosis: A Cross Sectional Study”. Journal of
Evidence based Medicine and Healthcare; Volume 2, Issue 29, July 20, 2015; Page: 4292-4295,
DOI: 10.18410/jebmh/2015/607
ABSTARCT: Endometriosis is most common disease in the reproductive age group. The aim of
our study is to known prevalence of endometriosis among first-, second-, and third-degree
relatives in a group of patients with varying symptoms related to endometriosis undergoing
diagnostic laparoscopy. We analyzed the prevalence of endometriosis among first-, second-, and
third-degree relatives in a group of patients with varying symptoms related to endometriosis
under-going diagnostic laparoscopy. METHODS: Eighty Six Patients with varying symptoms
related to endometriosis undergoing laparoscopy were enrolled. Patients were evaluated about
presence of symptoms of endometriosis such as chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and dysmenorrhea
in all first-degree relatives (i.e., mother, sisters, and daughters), as well as in all second- and
third-degree relatives (aunts, cousins). RESULTS: Mean age of the patient was 29.22±4.28
years. The complaints of the patients were in the order of pelvic pain (86/86, 100%)>
dysmenorrhea (76/86, 89%) >dyspareunia (51/86, 60%) >infertility (26/86, 30%). We found
that 30.24% of 1st degree relatives, 10.47% of 2nd degree, 1.16% of 3rd degree and 2.33% of
combination of 1st and 2nd degree relatives having familial patterns. CONCLUSION: there is a
good association of familial endometriosis and symptoms in first degree family members than the
other family relatives.
KEYWORDS: familial endometriosis, First degree relatives, Second degree relatives, Third
degree relatives, Family history of endometriosis.
INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is one the benign disease condition of the female reproductive
system. It is characterized by endometrial tissue which contains of glandular and stroma, found
external to the uterine cavity. Even though implanted ectopically, this tissue presents
physiologically and histo-pathologically and responses, similar to the responses of the
endometrium.(1) The endometriosis often presents clinically with severe pelvic pain, other
symptoms like dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and infertility.(2-3) The detailed clinical history,
gynecological examinations, and trans-vaginal ultrasound are the basis for endometriosis.(4-5) Still
the laparoscopy is considered the gold standard diagnostic methods and confirmation by means
of histo-pathological assessment.(6) Although a negative result does not rule out the possibility of
the disease.(7) Simpson et al(8) Lamb et al(9) Moen and Mangus et al(10) studies found the
association of endometriosis with first-degree relatives of endometriosis patients. But only a few
studies have studied the risk of endometriosis in second- and third-degree relatives.(11) To this
purpose we analyzed the prevalence of endometriosis among first-, second-, and third-degree
relatives in a group of patients with varying symptoms related to endometriosis undergoing
diagnostic laparoscopy.
J of Evidence Based Med & Hlthcare, pISSN- 2349-2562, eISSN- 2349-2570/ Vol. 2/Issue 29/July 20, 2015
Page 4292
DOI: 10.18410/jebmh/2015/607
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted in the department of gynecology, MAPIMS,
86 patients with varying symptoms related to endometriosis undergoing laparoscopy were
enrolled between year August 2013 to July 2014. Patients were evaluated about presence of
symptoms of endometriosis such as chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and dysmenorrhea in all firstdegree relatives (i.e., mother, sisters, and daughters), as well as in all second- and third-degree
relatives (Aunts, cousins).The maternal and the paternal lines of relatives were evaluated
separately. Information about grandmothers was excluded from the study, since reliable
information about their medical history could only be provided by a minority of patients.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data was collected from patients using a questionnaire, entered into
excel spread sheet 2007. Data was presented as mean, Standard deviation, actual numbers and
percentages.
RESULTS: In the study a total of 86 patients were evaluated. Mean age of the patient was
29.22±4.28 years. The complaints of the patients were in the order of pelvic pain (86/86,
100%)>dysmenorrhea (76/86, 89%)>dyspareunia (51/86, 60%)>infertility (26/86, 30%). We
found that 30.24% of 1st degree relatives, 10.47% of 2nd degree, 1.16% of 3rd degree and
2.33% of combination of 1st and 2nd degree relatives having familial patterns. (Table-1)
N=86
1 degree relatives
Sister
12
Mother
9
Daughter
2
Mother & sister
3
Total
26
nd
2 degree relatives
Maternal aunt
6
Paternal aunt
3
Total
9
rd
3 degree relatives
Maternal cousin
1
Paternal cousin
0
Total
1
st
nd
Combination of 1 & 2 degree
Sister, Mother and Maternal aunt
2
%
st
13.95
10.47
2.33
3.49
30.24
6.98
3.49
10.47
1.16
0
1.16
2.33
Table 1: Family History For Endometriosis
DISCUSSION: In our study the order of complaints were pelvic pain (86/86, 100%)>
dysmenorrhea (76/86, 89%)>dyspareunia (51/86, 60%)>infertility (26/86, 30%). We found that
30.24% of 1st degree relatives, 10.47% of 2nd degree, 1.16% of 3rd degree and 2.33% of
combination of 1st and 2nd.
J of Evidence Based Med & Hlthcare, pISSN- 2349-2562, eISSN- 2349-2570/ Vol. 2/Issue 29/July 20, 2015
Page 4293
DOI: 10.18410/jebmh/2015/607
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Endometriosis associated symptoms in patients with a family history of endometriosis.(12)
In this study, the results were favoring the increased risk of endometriosis in first-degree relatives
of endometriosis patients was found. Nouri et al. study supported the theory of genetic
predisposition is the only a contributing factor for the development the familial incidence of
endometriosis.(13)
CONCLUSION: We found that there is a strong association of familial endometriosis in first
degree than the other family relatives. Larger studies are needed to estimate the approximate
patterns of family history, such that risk identification, counseling and treatment initiation can be
done at the earliest.
REFERENCES:
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596-601.
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11. Dos Reis RM, de Sá MF, de Moura MD, Nogueira AA, Ribeiro JU, Ramos ES, Ferriani RA:
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12. Malinak LR, Buttram VC, Elias S, Simpson JL: Heritable aspects ofendometriosis II Clinical
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J of Evidence Based Med & Hlthcare, pISSN- 2349-2562, eISSN- 2349-2570/ Vol. 2/Issue 29/July 20, 2015
Page 4294
DOI: 10.18410/jebmh/2015/607
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
AUTHORS:
1. Cooly Vijayalakshmi
2. K. Mythili
PARTICULARS OF CONTRIBUTORS:
1. Associate Professor, Department of
Obstetrics & Gynecology,
Melmaruvathur Adhiparashakthi
Institute of Medical Sciences.
2. Associate Professor, Department of
Obstetrics & Gynecology,
Melmaruvathur Adhiparashakthi
Institute of Medical Sciences.
NAME ADDRESS EMAIL ID OF THE
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Dr. Cooly Vijayalakshmi,
Super Specialty, Rainbow Hospital,
Gandhinagar,
Near Saibaba Temple,
Nellore-524004.
E-mail: drvijayalakshmi14@yahoo.com
Date
Date
Date
Date
of
of
of
of
Submission: 16/07/2015.
Peer Review: 17/07/2015.
Acceptance: 20/07/2015.
Publishing: 20/07/2015.
J of Evidence Based Med & Hlthcare, pISSN- 2349-2562, eISSN- 2349-2570/ Vol. 2/Issue 29/July 20, 2015
Page 4295