Endometriosis / Martha Hickey, Karen Ballard, Cindy Farquhar

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Bibliografía: p.4-6

Endometriosis is a relatively common and potentially debilitating condition affecting women of reproductive age.
Prevalence is difficult to determine, firstly because of variability in clinical presentation, and, secondly because the only reliable diagnostic test is laparoscopy, when endometriotic deposits can be visualised and histologically confirmed. Population based studies report a prevalence of around 1.5% compared with 6-15% in hospital based studies.1 Endometriosis can be asymptomatic, but those with symptoms generally present early in reproductive life and improve after menopause. Symptomatic endometriosis can result in long term adverse effects on personal relationships, quality of life, and work productivity. A European survey of nearly 1000 women indicated that the average annual cost per woman with endometriosis was nearly €1000 (£822,
$1380) with two thirds of the costs from loss of productivity.2
The most important predictor of healthcare costs is decreased quality of life, and this is found to be greatest in women with pain, infertility, and persistent disease.3 We have described the clinical evaluation, implications, and management of endometreiosis for the primary care provider.