[Endometriosis, a participatory study in the Serchio Valley (Tuscany Region, Central Italy): state of the art and perspectives].

Abstract

Background: endometriosis is a chronic condition with a significant impact on women's health, featured by endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. A limited number of studies have been conducted in the general population, and the true prevalence of endometriosis is unknown for many areas of the country.

Objectives: to better estimate the prevalence of endometriosis in three Italian regions (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Tuscany, Apulia) and to assess the relationship between endometriosis and environmental factors in three participating areas (Trieste, Barga, and Taranto), with a focus on Tuscany Region.

Design: implementing a specific epidemiological registry for endometriosis, aimed at estimating the incidence and prevalence data. The registry collected information from hospital discharge records and anatomopathological reports of women residing in the three considered regions, aged 15 years or older. Additionally, the analysis includes the assessment of the spatial distribution of endometriosis at both regional and municipal levels in the three study areas. Further research investigations in these areas involve a multilevel screening of a sample of women of childbearing age. Women who test positive in the initial screening (through a self-administered questionnaire) will have the opportunity to undergo a second level of screening, consisting of a gynecological examination, transvaginal ultrasound, a swab for vaginal microbiome analysis, and the collection of blood and urine samples to assess the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or heavy metals. The adopted scientific approach is based on post-normal science (PNS) concerning the extended peer community.

Setting and participants: women aged 15 years or older residing in the three regions.

Main outcomes measures: estimating the incidence and prevalence of endometriosis based on data collected from the epidemiological registry. The analysis extends to assessing the spatial distribution of endometriosis at municipal levels in the three areas of interest.

Results: the preliminary results of the study allowed for the estimation of the spatial distribution of endometriosis incidence in Tuscany. In particular, it was found that there is variability within the region, with some coastal and North-Western areas showing values 20% higher than the regional average. Cities such as Pisa, Lucca, Livorno, Grosseto, Orbetello, and the Serchio Valley with Barga had a probability of excess risk of more than 90% compared to the regional average.

Conclusions: the study is ongoing and requires the active participation of women living in the region to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the collected data. This research effort represents an important contribution to understanding endometriosis in Tuscany and its possible environmental causes.