Overview
Background: Endometriosis, which is characterized by the growth of endometrial stroma and glands outside of the uterine cavity, is estimated to occur in 6-10% of women of reproductive age. Clinical presentation of endometriosis can vary widely, often significantly reducing quality of life, and the mean interval between the onset of symptoms and obtaining a definitive diagnosis is approximately 10 years. Currently, laparoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing endometriosis; however, this procedure is invasive, carries surgery-related risks, and contributes to diagnostic delay. Therefore, the field has an urgent need for an efficient, sensitive, non-invasive tool for diagnosing endometriosis.
Recently, it was shown that sVCAM-1/sICAM-1 ratio is a promising serum biomarker, which may lead to the development of a new, efficient, sensitive, non-invasive tool for diagnosing endometriosis, thereby potentially avoiding surgical interventions.
Primary aim: To determine whether the serum sVCAM-1/sICAM-1 ratio can be used todiagnose endometriosis.
Study design: Prospective multicenter validation study
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- unfulfilled desire for children
- chronic pelvic pain
- suspicion of endometriosis
- cysts
- myomas
Exclusion Criteria:
- acute infections
- malign diseases
- drug abuse
- pregnancy
- infectious diseases