Fatigue – a symptom in endometriosis

This study focused on the symptom fatigue in endometriosis. Relationships of variables were established by regression analysis and associations were quantified as odds ratios.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEFrequent fatigue was experienced by a majority of women diagnosed with endometriosis (50.7% versus 22.4% in control women,P< 0.001). Fatigue in endometriosis was associated with insomnia (OR: 7.31, CI: 4.62 –11.56,P< 0.001), depression (OR: 4.45, CI: 2.76 –7.19,P< 0.001), pain (OR: 2.22, CI: 1.52 –3.23,P< 0.001), and occupational stress (OR: 1.45, CI: 1.02 –2.07,P = 0.037), but was independent of age, time since first diagnosis and stage of the disease.LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTIONWomen with asymptomatic endometriosis cannot be excluded in the control group which would lead to underestimation of our results. The study ’s design allows no evaluation of causal effects.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGSAs fatigue is experienced by numerous women with endometriosis, it needs to be addressed in the discussion of management and treatment of the disease. In addition to treating endometriosis, it would be beneficial to reduce insomnia, depression, pain and occupational stress in order to better manage fatigue.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(s)There was no additional funding received for this study and no conflict of interest.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERClinicalTrials.gov, NCT 02511626
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research