Peculiarities of the course of genital endometriosis and its recurrence in women of reproductive age

Abstract

Endometriosis remains one of the most studied pathologies in modern gynecology, as it is accompanied by such complications as constant pelvic pain, menstrual cycle disorders, and infertility. These complications not only prevent the implementation of a woman’s reproductive function, but also worsen the normal life of a woman in general. The early diagnosis and the right choice of treatment is the basis of prevention of disease recurrence. Therefore, most of the efforts of scientists are directed to this.The objective: to reduce the frequency of genital endometriosis recurrence and improve the implementation of reproductive functions based on the improved approaches to its diagnosis and treatment.Materials and methods. The study included two groups of patients. The 1st group included 60 women with a diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis, whose data were analyzed retrospectively based on the results of medical histories. The 2nd group was studied prospectively and included 60 women with a diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis.All patients had general clinical and laboratory examinations, specific laboratory and ultrasound examinations. In patients of the 2nd group tumor markers were additionally determined, in particular CA-125, HE4, CA 19-9, CA 72-4, CA 15-3, REA, and the level of anti-Müllerian hormone, magnetic resonance imaging was performed. Patients of both groups were operated and histological examination of the material obtained during the operation was performed.The difference in the management of the postoperative period in the 2nd group was that, in addition to anti-inflammatory therapy all women received hormonal therapy (gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH agonist) with subsequent use of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) or simultaneous use of GnRH agonist and COCs with subsequent transition in both variants for dienogest for 6 months continuously). Recurrence of the pathology was detected after 3 and 6 months on the basis of a repeated diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis.Results. The obtained data showed that in the postoperative period, 3 months after treatment 5 (8.3 %) women in the 1st group had a recurrence of ovarian endometriosis and 4 (6.7 %) patients – pelvic adhesions. Whereas in the 2nd group, there were no cases of recurrence and adhesions.In 6 months after treatment in the 1st group 11 (18.3 %) patients were diagnosed with ovarian endometriosis recurrence, and 6 (10.0 %) women were diagnosed with pelvic adhesions. In the 2nd group recurrence of ovarian endometriosis was found only in 1 (1.7 %) woman, pelvic adhesions were not detected (p<0.05). During the year after treatment the number of pregnant women among persons who wished to become pregnant and had a history of infertility was statistically higher in the 2nd group compared to the 1st group, in particular, 10 (16.7 %) and 2 (3.3 %) women, respectively (p<0.05).Conclusions. The proposed algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of genital endometriosis minimizes the risk of its recurrence and improves reproductive function.