Evaluation of the correlation between body mass index and endometriosis among Iranian fertile women

Abstract

Aims: The investigations have revealed an inverse correlation between body mass index (BMI) and endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease among women of reproductive age, which is defined as the implantation of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus. In this respect, we aimed to study the correlation between endometriosis and BMI in Iranian fertile women.

Methods: In a case-control design, 46 fertile women with endometriosis and 53 matched controls were recruited. All of the patients had a laparoscopy or laparotomy surgery and histologically confirmed endometriosis. The control group was selected from healthy volunteers who referred to gynecologist for tubal ligation or surgery of benign gynecological diseases. The participants were interviewed based on a structured questionnaire which covered inquiries regarding demographics, reproductive and menstrual history.

Results: Statistical analysis was performed by categorizing the BMI to four main groups: >30, 25–29.9, 18.5–24.9 and <18.5. The results showed a significant inverse correlation between BMI and endometriosis (p = 0.039). BMI over 30 was observed in 26% of healthy controls versus 13% of endometriosis patients. On the other hand, BMI under 18.5 were detected in 3 individuals, all of them belonged to the endometriosis group.

Discussion: Recent investigations have emphasized the role of BMI in endometriosis. The results of this study suggest that lower BMI is associated with an increased risk of endometriosis. As a parameter easily obtained, BMI may be useful for risk assessment of endometriosis.

Chinese abstract

目的：该项调查显示体重指数(BMI)和子宫内膜异位症具有负相关性。子宫内膜异位症是在生育年龄妇女中常见的妇科疾病，子宫内膜腺体和间质种植在子宫体以外的部位称为子宫内膜异位症。因此，我们旨在研究在伊朗育龄妇女中子宫内膜异位症与体重指数的相关性。

方法：该病例对照研究包含46名诊断子宫内膜异位症的育龄妇女和53名对照者。所有患者均行腹腔镜或开腹手术，组织学上诊断为子宫内膜异位症。对照组来自健康志愿者，她们因输卵管结扎术或良性妇科疾病手术而就诊。两组患者均接受基于结构式问卷的调查，包含人口统计资料、生育史和月经史。

结果：按体重指数分为四组:＞30，25–29.9，18.5–24.9，＜18.5进行统计分析。结果表明体重指数和子宫内膜异位症具有显著负相关性(p=0.039)。体重指数大于30者，在对照组为26%，而在子宫内膜异位症组仅为13%。另一方面，体重指数小于18.5者有3例，均为子宫内膜异位症患者。

结论：最近的调查强调了体重指数在子宫内膜异位症中的作用。该研究结果显示低体重指数增加了患子宫内膜异位症的风险。体重指数容易获得，有可能作为子宫内膜异位症风险评估的有效指标。

• Body mass index
• endometriosis
• reproduction characteristics

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the contribution of the subjects in this study. This work was supported by Research Deputy of Tarbiat Modares University.

Declaration of interest

The authors have stated that they have no interests which might be perceived as posing a conflict or bias.