Characteristics of patients with endometriosis in the United States and the United Kingdom.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate differences in characteristics of patients with endometriosis in the United States and the United Kingdom.


METHODS
Patient questionnaire.


METHODS
Two university-based endometriosis referral centers.


METHODS
Women with surgically diagnosed endometriosis.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Patient demographics, menstrual and obstetric history, contraceptive use, medical history, risk factors, family history, endometriosis diagnosis, and current pain status and treatment.


RESULTS
Most demographic characteristics were similar between groups. However, patients in the United States were diagnosed at a younger age than were patients in the United Kingdom (25.6 +/- 6.7 years vs. 28.0 +/- 7.1 years) and more commonly presented with an ovarian mass. More U.K. women used oral contraceptives before diagnosis and were younger at first use. U.K. patients underwent fewer additional surgeries than U.S. patients but reported that surgery alone provided the best relief of symptoms, whereas most U.S. patients reported that surgical and medical therapy together provided the best relief of symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The many similarities in demographics and symptoms among women with endometriosis in the U.S. and the U.K. support the universality of the disease process. Despite a variety of treatments, most patients from both groups still experienced pain from their endometriosis at the time of the survey.
Kuohung
Wendy
W
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Jones
Georgina L
GL
Vitonis
Allison F
AF
Cramer
Daniel W
DW
Kennedy
Stephen H
SH
Thomas
Daniel
D
Hornstein
Mark D
MD
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003267:Contraception; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008598:Menstruation; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral