title: Performance of Circulating Placental Growth Factor as A Screening Marker for Diagnosis of Ovarian Endometriosis: A Pilot Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to compare the circulating placental growth factor (PlGF) concentration in women with and without endometrioma to verify the performance of this marker to diagnose the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case-control study, thirteen women with histological diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis were compared with women without endometriosis disease. PlGF plasma levels of endometriotic patients and controls were investigated using a fluorescence immunoassay technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PlGF showed a direct correlation with body mass index (BMI) only in the control group (P=0.013). After adjustment for BMI values, PlGF median value in endometriosis group (14.7 pg/mL) resulted higher than in control group (13.8 pg/ mL, P=0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PlGF is a promising peripheral blood marker that can discriminate between patients with and without ovarian endometriosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zucchini
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Sanctis
authors.affiliation: Pelvic Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Gynaecologic Surgery, St. Orsola Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Facchini
authors.affiliation: Pelvic Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Gynaecologic Surgery, St. Orsola Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Di Donato
authors.affiliation: Pelvic Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Gynaecologic Surgery, St. Orsola Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Montanari
authors.affiliation: Pelvic Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Gynaecologic Surgery, St. Orsola Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bertoldo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery DIMEC, Division of Prenatal Medicine, St. Orsola Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farina
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Surgery DIMEC, Division of Prenatal Medicine, St. Orsola Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Curti
authors.affiliation: Pelvic Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Gynaecologic Surgery, St. Orsola Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seracchioli
keywords: Blood Marker; Endometrioma; Endometriosis; PlGF