EneMar2003

Estudio de la infertilidad y la endometriosis

Estudios preliminares sugieren un rol del fluido peritoneal y endometriosis (Endometriosis)
November 14, 2002

2002 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) – Los autores de una investigación publicada en Lancet proveed evidencia preliminary que siguiere que el fluido peritoneal de mujeres con endometrisis puede jugar un rol importante en la reducción de la fertilidad.

Endometriosis e infertilidad parecen estar asociadas, pero no se conoce si endometriosis causa la infertilidad. El Dr. Ovrang Djahanbakhch de Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, U.K., y sus colegas compraron el efecto del fluido peritoneal (el ambiente líquido que rodea las trompas de falopio) de mujeres con endometriosis leve en la frecuencia de los movimientos de los cilios que se encuentran en las trompas de Falopio (pequeños pelitos que ayudan a mover el óvulo hacia los espermatozoides.

Se estudió el efecto del fluido peritoneal de 6 mujeres con endometriosis temprana y 6 mujeres fértiles sin endometriosis (el grupo control) en el movimiento de los cilios de las trompas en 17 mujeres que sufrieron histerectomías. La frecuencia de los movimientos ciliares se redujo un cuarto por el fluido peritoneal de mujeres con endometriosis.

"Hemos demostrado que el fluido peritoneal de mujeres con endometriosis reduce significativamente la frecuencia de movimiento ciliar en comparación con el fluido peritoneal fluid de controles fértiles," dijo Djahanbakhch. ..."Más estudios son necesarios para determinar si este efecto negativo en la acción ciliar y el transporte por las trompas también ocurre en vivo en mujeres con endometriosis, y si este efecto puede ser relacionado con el estatus de fertilidad." Este artículo fue preparado por los editores de Women's Health Weekly.

Women don't take chronic pelvic pain seriously (Endometriosis)
December 5, 2002

2002 DEC 5 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A majority of women who suffer from chronic pelvic pain have been told that their pain is "normal" or even exaggerated despite their own perception of it as severe and debilitating.

Ironically, these comments are coming from the people they rely on most for support - their physicians, families, and friends - according to a survey conducted by the Endometriosis Association and released at the 58th annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

The survey found that 40% of women who suffer from chronic pelvic pain due to endometriosis or the formation of post surgical scar tissue have been told they exaggerate their pain. More than half (52%) were told this by their obstetrician/gynecologist (ob/gyn) and 43% by a friend or family member. Nearly 60% of these women have been told that their pain is normal. Of these, 56% were told this by their ob/gyn and 29% by family or friends.

"The results of this survey are concerning given the impact pelvic pain can have on a woman's life," said Mary Lou Ballweg, president and executive director of the Endometriosis Association, who announced the data. "On a regular basis, we see women completely alter their lives because of the debilitating effects of pelvic pain. The frustrating part is that it often takes years for women to receive a diagnosis, and by then, many are unable to work or fully participate in normal activities."

In fact, 43% of women surveyed describe their pain as constant. More than half describe the intensity of pain as severe to unbearable (26% say it's severe, 18% say very severe, and 9% say unbearable). At this level of pain, it's not surprising that more than 80% say they have been unable to work at times due to pelvic pain, and 45% say they have been debilitated for 2-3 days or longer each month.

"Chronic pelvic pain accounts for 12% of hysterectomies and 40% of laparoscopic surgeries. The total costs of treating chronic pelvic pain are more than $2 billion each year," said Dr. Charles Miller, reproductive endocrinologist, gynecological surgeon, and medical director of Specialists in Reproductive Health in Arlington Heights and Naperville, Illinois. "As I've seen with many patients and with this survey, chronic pelvic pain also exacts a significant emotional toll, which makes it even more important that women speak to a doctor at the first signs of pelvic pain."

Two of the leading causes of chronic pelvic pain are endometriosis and the formation of adhesions. Of the women surveyed, 89% had endometriosis, and nearly 40% had been diagnosed with adhesions.

The survey of 968 women ages 15-59 with endometriosis, postsurgical scar tissue, or both was designed to uncover specific information about women's experiences with chronic pelvic pain. The survey, conducted by The Endometriosis Association, was cosponsored through a restricted educational grant by Gynecare, the women's health division of Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson company, and Purdue Pharma, L.P. This article was prepared by Women's Health Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

Cytokine blocker may be effective for treating gynecological disorder

Endometriosis
March 3, 2003

2003 MAR 3 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- According to recent research from England, "endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder causing pain, infertility, and emotional distress."

"Evidence presented here suggests that abnormal production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is required for the establishment and maintenance of endometriosis and also is responsible for the associated infertility through its effect on sperm motility and function and oocyte development," said D.W. Bullimore and colleagues, Barnsley District General Hospital Trust.

"Infliximab, which blocks TNF-alpha function, could be used in the treatment of endometriosis to reverse the above effects," the researchers suggested.

Bullimore and colleagues published their study in Medical Hypotheses (Endometriosis is sustained by tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Med Hypotheses, 2003;60(1):84-88).

Para más información o para comentarios relacionados a estas noticias, comuníquense con el Programa de Investigación de la Endometriosis al 84-2575 ext. 2206 o al e-mail iflores@psm.edu.