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Chronic immune activation |
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presence of endometrial deposits |
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Immunologic alterations |
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exaggerated B-cell response |
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elevated serum levels of auto-antibodies and
sCD23 |
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Defect in natural killer activity |
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decreased cytotoxicity to autologous endometrium |
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Immune defect may: |
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account for endometriosis occurring in some
women rather than all who experience retrograde menstruation |
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contribute to symptoms and conditions that women
with endometriosis frequently report |
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Serum soluble CD23 concentrations are
significantly elevated among patients with endometriosis when compared with
controls. |
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A number of autoimmune diseases have been
correlated with the presence of antinuclear antibodies. |
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Antiphospholipid antibody presence has been
associated with reproductive failure, characterised clinically as
unexplained infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss and endometriosis. |
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Serum levels of CA125 are elevated in women with
endometriosis, with more marked increases shown in women with stage III and
IV, compared with Stage I and II. |
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ESR is an aid in detection and diagnosis of
inflammatory conditions. |
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CRP concentrations are significantly increased
in women with PCOS relative to those in healthy women with normal menstrual
rhythm and normal androgen levels.
CRP is a marker of low-grade chronic inflammation. |
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Ferritin levels are raised in acute or chronic
inflammation. |
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Serum albumin and globulin are markers of
inflammation. |
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Cortisol influences the immune system and many
other body systems. Cortisol
suppresses inflammation and cellular immune activation, and reduced levels
might relax constraints on inflammatory processes and immune cell
activation. |
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Alone these indices cannot determine the
presence of endometriosis, however when tested together as a profile along
with other indices that indicate chronic inflammation and immune
activation, they may assist in diagnosis. |
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34 Participants. |
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13 Women diagnosed by laparoscopy/laparotomy
with endometriosis. |
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21 Women not diagnosed with endometriosis –
Control Group. |
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Average Age: |
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34.6 Control Group |
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35.7 Endometriosis Group |
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Age at Menarche: |
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13.05 (SD 1.1) Control Group |
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12.36 (SD1.12) Endometriosis Group |
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No statistical difference in local group |
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Data from larger group shows that menarche
occurs earlier in women with endometriosis. |
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Tampon Use |
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Local Group – No Statistical Difference |
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Large Group – 81.9% Women With Endometriosis
71.8% Control Group |
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Symptoms |
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Dysparunia, Bowel Symptoms, Painful Urination,
Fatigue |
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Significant Difference - seen in both local and large groups |
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Women with endometriosis experienced: |
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More painful symptoms throughout the menstrual
cycle |
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More surgial procedures requiring general
anaesthesia |
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Greater sensitivity to allergies, chemical
sensitivities, frequent yeast infections |
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Higher diagnosis rate of Irritable Bowel
Syndrome (IBS) |
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Analysis of blood parameters |
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No considerable differences from control group |
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Endometriosis women demonstrated higher levels
of: |
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Immunoglobulins |
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C reactive protein |
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Ferritin |
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Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate |
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Basophills |
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CA 125 |
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Antinuclear and Anticardiolipin Antibodies |
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Notes