Impact of Endometriosis-Related Adhesions on Quality of Life among Infertile Women

Abstract

Background Endometriosis is considered the most common cause of pelvic adhesions in women. Endometriosis- associated adhesions could result in the formation of fibrous bands, which contain endometriotic glands, stroma and scarring. The aim of this study was to identify the impact of endometriosis-related adhesions on quality of life among infertile women. Materials and Methods This descriptive study was conducted at Endoscopic Unit, in Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt. Oral consent for participation in this study was taken from 109 women who were candidates for laparoscopy as infertile cases and were diagnosed with endometriosis. They were classified into two groups namely, group I (n=41) who had endometriosis with adhesions and group II (n=68) who had endometriosis without adhesions. A structured interviewing form, adhesion scoring method of the American Fertility Society, and Global Quality of Life Scale were used to collect required information. Results The prevalence of adhesions resulted from endometriosis was 37.6%. Demographic characteristics of the women with endometriosis-related adhesions were not significantly different from those of women without endome- triosis-related adhesions. The most common location for endometriotic adhesions was adnexal adhesion (51.2%) fol- lowed by adhesion of anterior abdominal wall (24.4%). Quality of life was significantly impacted by endometriosis- related adhesions (P=0.002). Conclusion A high percentage of studied patients had a moderate degree of adhesions. Adhesions caused by endo- metriosis had an impact on quality of life of the studied women.

Keywords

• adhesions
• endometriosis
• impact
• infertility
• quality of life