title: Quality of life in Brazilian women with endometriosis assessed through a medical outcome questionnaire.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the quality of life in women with pelvic pain associated with endometriosis through the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was cross-sectional and conducted at a tertiary care center. Sixty women diagnosed surgically with endometriosis were interviewed during the first half of 2001.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, a poor quality of life was observed among the women interviewed. No correlation was found between the quality of life and intensity of pain, use of medications and/or living with a partner. Women with moderate or severe endometriosis scored better on the emotional aspects of the questionnaire. Among those who exercised regularly, better scores on mental health were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the SF-36 questionnaire, this cohort study of Brazilian women with endometriosis showed a poor quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Section, Women's Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andréa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bahamondes
authors.forename: José Mendes
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aldrighi
authors.forename: Carlos Alberto
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Petta
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health