Increased dioxin-like compounds in the serum of women with peritoneal endometriosis and deep endometriotic (adenomyotic) nodules.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible association between the body burden of dioxin-like compounds and endometriotic disease.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Gynecology ward in a university hospital.


METHODS
Seventy-one women with peritoneal endometriosis (n = 25) or deep endometriotic (adenomyotic) nodules (n = 25) and controls (n = 21).


METHODS
Collection of 200 mL of blood (fasted) and face-to-face interview.


METHODS
Assessment of dioxin (PCDD), furan (PCDF), and dioxin-like PCB serum concentrations (picograms toxic equivalent [TEQ]/g lipids).


RESULTS
Age and body mass index were traced by linear multiple regression as determinants of total TEQ levels. After standardization for these variables (30 years and 22.5 kg/m2), the mean TEQ levels were 24.21 (controls), 30.62 (peritoneal endometriosis), and 37.60 (deep endometriotic [adenomyotic] nodules) pg TEQ/g lipids. Logistic regression analysis indicated a significantly increased risk of deep endometriotic (adenomyotic) nodules (odds ratio [OR], 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-7.6) for an increment of 10 pg in total TEQ levels/g lipids. An increased risk was also found for peritoneal endometriosis (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 0.9-3.8) for total TEQ levels and for dioxins alone (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.0-9.9).


CONCLUSIONS
The results provide the first epidemiological evidence of an association between increased PCDD/PCDF and PCB body burden and endometriosis.
Heilier
Jean-François
JF
Industrial Toxicology and Occupational Medicine Unit, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Nackers
Fabienne
F
Verougstraete
Violaine
V
Tonglet
René
R
Lison
Dominique
D
Donnez
Jacques
J
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004147:Dioxins / Q000097:blood*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D004147:Dioxins