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Survey Links Endometriosis to Other Autoimmune Diseases A joint report by the Endometriosis Association and the National Institute of Health appeared in the European medical journal Human Reproduction in 2002. The report published the results of a survey investigating higher rates of other diseases in women with endometriosis. The survey sought to verify a hypothesis that was formulated in the early 1980s: women with endometriosis were at a significantly higher risk of developing autoimmune disorders than other women. Higher risks of melanoma, breast cancer and ovarian cancer have already been established. The 2002 survey sought to do the same for autoimmune disorders. Over 3,680 American women with surgically diagnosed endometriosis took part in the survey. Researchers then analyzed the collected data at a number of locations, including the Endometriosis Association (Milwaukee), the School of Public Health and Health services at George Washington University (Washington, DC), and the national Institute of Child Health and Human Development (Bethesda, Maryland). The results of the survey indicate clearly that the presence of endometriosis puts women at risk for a number of autoimmune diseases. Higher Disease Rates and Endometriosis The survey reveals that twenty percent of women with endometriosis also live with at least one additional disease. Of the women who reported an additional disease or disorder, 31 percent had also been diagnosed with one of the following disorders: Fibromyalgia chronic fatigue syndrome other autoimmune disorders endocrine disorders. Fibromyalgia is twice as common in women diagnosed with endometriosis as it is in other American women. Fibromyalgia is characterized by high sensitivity to pain, and by pain in the muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. People with the disease often tire easily. Chronic fatigue syndrome had even higher incidence rates than fibromyalgia. Women with endometriosis were over one hundred times as likely to develop chronic fatigue syndrome than other American women. Rates of other autoimmune inflammatory diseases were higher than normal among the women surveyed. Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythromatosus (SLE), Sjogen's syndrome, and multiple sclerosis had high incidence rates. In addition to the high rate of inflammatory autoimmune disorders, the survey also reported that women with endometriosis were seven times as likely to develop hyperthyroidism when compared to other women. Allergies, Asthma and Endometriosis Allergies and asthma incidence rates were also higher than normal among the women who participated in the study. Approximately eighteen percent of the population of the United States has allergies. That number jumped to 61 percent among the women surveyed. Asthma rates showed a similar jump: while five percent of the US population has asthma, twelve percent of women with endometriosis reported having asthma. Additional immune disorders further increased the asthma and allergy rate. Women with endometriosis and an endocrine disorder had allergy rates of 72 percent, according to the survey. If the endometriosis was accompanied by chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia, allergy incidence exceeded 88 percent. Proving the Family Connection The survey also hoped to gather information on whether a family history and heredity were risk factors or not. The survey certainly suggested a connection: over two-thirds of the women reported that they had a relative who had either been diagnosed with endometriosis, or in whom the disease was suspected. Thought for the Future The survey results suggest that women with, or at risk for, endometriosis should be monitored for signs of other autoimmune diseases. According to Ninet Sinali, of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Reproduction, "These findings suggest a strong association between endometriosis and autoimmune disorders. Health care professionals may need to consider these disorders when evaluating their patients for endometriosis." It is hoped that the survey results will lead to further research into the connection between autoimmune disorders and endometriosis. Medical Terms and Definitions If you're not familiar with the diseases referred to in this article, here are some brief definitions of the different disorders: Allergies: An immune reaction to a normally harmless substance, often resulting in sneezing, itching or skin rashes. A severe allergy may cause respiratory distress, or, in rare and serious cases, shock and death. Asthma: Labored breathing, respiratory distress, coughing and/or wheezing. Often asthma is a result of allergic reactions. Chronic fatigue syndrome: A set of symptoms including continuous, long-term fatigue, pain in muscles and joints, sore throats and headaches. The origin of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, but it is suspected to involve an autoimmune reaction. Fibromyaglia: Debilitating muscle and joint pain that has no traceable cause. Autoimmune disorders are suspected to be the root cause of fibromyalgia. Hyperthyroidism: An overly active thyroid gland results in hypertension, rapid heart rates, increased metabolic rate and an enlarged thyroid. Multiple sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis gradually destroys the myelin sheaths that protect never fibers, causing hard tissue to develop in the brain and the spinal cord. Complications include full or partial paralysis and muscle tremors. Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disorder that causes swollen, inflamed joints. Sjorgen's syndrome: The immune system mistakes the body's moisture-producing glands as a threat, and attacks them with white blood cells. The syndrome causes dry eyes and mouth, affects internal organs and often causes fatigue. Systemic lupus erythromatosus (SLE): An inflammatory rheumatoid disorder that affects blood vessels and connective tissue. Resources American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2002). Endometriosis associated with higher rates of autoimmune disorders. Retrieved May 12, 2003, from www.asrm.org/Media/Press/endoautoimmune.html. BUPA, the Personal Health Service. (2001). Fibromyalgia. Retrieved May 12, 2003, from hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/fibromyalgia.html. Endometriosis Association, (2002). EA/NIH shows women with endometriosis at greater risk for several other diseases. Retrieved May 12, 2003, from www.endometriosisassn.org/inthenews.html. Icon Data. (Updated 1999). Systemic lupus erythromatosus. Retrieved May 12, 2003, from www.icondata.com/health/pedbase/files/SYSTEMIC.HTM. Sjorgen's Syndrome Foundation. (2002). Sjorgen's Syndrome. Retrieved May 12, 2003, from www.sjogrens.com.

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