Risk factors for deep endometriosis: a comparison with pelvic and ovarian endometriosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether deep endometriosis has different risk factors compared with endometriosis at other sites. In epidemiological terms, this should be the case if deep endometriosis represents a different condition than ovarian and peritoneal endometriosis.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
University hospitals.


METHODS
The first group of cases included 181 women with a diagnosis of deep endometriosis. The second group of cases included 162 women with endometriosis at other sites. The control group included women younger than 55 years of age who were admitted for acute non-gynecological, non-hormonal, non-neoplastic conditions.


METHODS
Questionnaire.


METHODS
Odds ratios.


RESULTS
The age distribution of women with cases of deep and ovarian and pelvic endometriosis was not statistically significantly different. A higher body mass index decreased the risk of both deep as well as ovarian and pelvic endometriosis: the estimated ORs for women reporting a body mass index of > or =21 vs. those reporting a body mass index of <21 were 0.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3-0.8) for deep endometriosis and 0.6 (95% CI, 0.4-0.9) for pelvic and ovarian endometriosis. Parous women were at decreased risk: in comparison with nulliparae, the odds ratio for deep endometriosis was 0.1 (95% CI, 0.1-0.2) for women reporting one or more births. The corresponding value for pelvic and ovarian endometriosis was 0.1 (95% CI, 0.1-0.2).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that deep as well as ovarian and pelvic endometriosis share similar risk factors.
Parazzini
Fabio
F
Seconda Clinica Ostetrico Ginecologica, Università di Milano, Fondazione Policlinico Mangiagalli Regina Elena, Milan, Italy. parazzini@marionegri.ittug
Cipriani
Sonia
S
Bianchi
Stefano
S
Gotsch
Francesca
F
Zanconato
Giovanni
G
Fedele
Luigi
L
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010298:Parity; D010388:Pelvis; D010532:Peritoneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires