Self-reported prevalence of endometriosis and its symptoms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Moamar Al-Jefout, Shamsa Alawar, Zuhur Balayah, Alia Alhareb, Fatima Al Ameri, Maitha Alhosani, Hajar Al Naqbi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The true prevalence and risk factors for endometriosis among women in UAE are unknown. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of endometriosis among women in UAE aged 18 to 55 years, risk factors and related health problems. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study exploring information about reproductive events and gynecological problems including endometriosis. Among participants (n= 3572) confirmed endometriosis diagnosis was reported by 55 women. Hence, the estimated prevalence of endometriosis was 1.5 % (55/3572). Endometriosis was more prevalent among age 20-29 years. Endometriosis was more prevalent among those with cycle irregularity and long menses (.7 days) (41.8% & 27.3 % vs 30.7% & 18.8%) respectively. Moreover, endometriosis was more prevalent among divorced women (26 (0.7%) vs 3 (5.5%), p-0,003) in control. Women with endometriosis were found to have more severe dysmenorrhea (49.1% (27) vs 17.6% (618)), infertility (12.7% (7) vs 0.9% (32), chronic pelvic pain (18.2% (10)) and dysuria (18.2% (10)) vs (2.5% (88) and 3.1% (108) respectively), p <0.001. Women with endometriosis more frequently experience abnormal uterine bleeding (20% (11) vs 4.3% (153), p<0.0001), uterine fibroids (10.9% (6) vs 0.7% (24), p<0.0001), and ovarian cysts (38.2% (21) vs 7.2% (252), p<0.0001). Ovarian cysts surgery was also strongly associated with endometriosis diagnosis (21.8% (12) vs 0.7% (23), p<0.0001. In our study, the estimate prevalence of endometriosis is 1.5 %. Irregular and prolonged periods, dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dysuria, being divorced and infertility are associated with endometriosis.No funding was received and there are no competing interests. Published by Oriental Scientific Publishing Company.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)265-275
Number of pages11
JournalBiomedical and Pharmacology Journal
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • Endometriosis
  • Pelvic pain, Epidemiology
  • Prevalence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

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