The prevalence of fimbrial pathology in patients with early stages of endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
The presence of fimbrial pathology in advanced endometriosis is clearly understood. However, little is known about the prevalence of fimbrial pathology in early stages of endometriosis. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of fimbrial pathology in patients with infertility with early stages of endometriosis.


METHODS
Historical cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II/III).


METHODS
Tertiary referral center.


METHODS
The study group (Group 1) consisted of 315 infertile women who were found to have stage I or stage II endometriosis, and the control group (Group 2) consisted of 152 infertile women without endometriosis (Group 2).


METHODS
Laparoscopic evaluation for the presence and type of fimbrial pathology.


RESULTS
The prevalence of fimbrial pathology was significantly higher in infertile patients with early stages of endometriosis (50.2%) compared with infertile patients with no endometriosis (17.8%, p <.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary data suggest the presence of fimbrial pathology in many patients with early stages of endometriosis. Such pathology may act as a mechanical factor interfering with the ovum pick-up mechanism.
Abuzeid
Mostafa I
MI
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Hurley Medical Center, Flint, Michigan 48503, USA. reprod1@hurleymc.com
Mitwally
Mohamed F
MF
Ahmed
Abeer I
AI
Formentini
Elizabeth
E
Ashraf
Mohammad
M
Abuzeid
Omar M
OM
Diamond
Michael P
MP
D015331:Cohort Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007047:Hysterosalpingography; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D012189:Retrospective Studies