Urine vascular endothelial growth factor-A is not a useful marker for endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether urine VEGF is elevated in women with endometriosis.


METHODS
Prospective observational study.


METHODS
Tertiary care government and private hospitals.


METHODS
During laparoscopy for pelvic pain or infertility, urine was collected and possible endometriosis lesions were excised. Of 62 women, 40 had histology-proven endometriosis and 22 had no histological proof of the disease.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Urine VEGF-A(121, 165) was measured and compared in women with and without biopsy-proven endometriosis.


RESULTS
Urine VEGF levels corrected for creatinine excretion were similar in women with (83.6 +/- 11.3 pg/mg Cr) and without (88.5 +/- 10.4 pg/mg Cr) endometriosis (P =.77). The frequency distribution of urine VEGF measurements for women with and without endometriosis was similar. No significant difference was noted in urine VEGF levels when comparing endometriosis stages or in those with endometriomas compared to controls. Urine VEGF did not vary significantly over the menstrual cycle or between groups by cycle phase. No cutoff point discriminated individuals with and without the condition.


CONCLUSIONS
It is unlikely that urine VEGF-A(121, 165), as measured in this study, will be a useful non-invasive marker for endometriosis.
Potlog-Nahari
Clariss
C
Pediatric and Reproductive Endocrinology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1583, USA. naharic@mail.nih.gov
Stratton
Pamela
P
Winkel
Craig
C
Widra
Eric
E
Sinaii
Ninet
N
Connors
Susan
S
Nieman
Lynnette K
LK
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000652:urine*
D015415:Biomarkers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A