Firstly, this meta-analysis[1] included a total of eight studies, seven of which used the rASRM classification, while only one applied the ENZIAN classification; the latter was not included in the pooled analysis due to insufficient data. Based on these findings, the authors concluded that pain intensity was not significantly associated with rASRM stage. However, we believe that this conclusion is, at least in part, constrained by the inherent structural limitations of the rASRM classification itself. The rASRM classification[2,3] was originally developed to evaluate fertility outcomes, with its scoring primarily emphasizing the extent and severity of peritoneal and ovarian lesions as well as adhesions, rather than adequately capturing deep infiltrating endometriosis involving neural, rectal, or bladder structures. These anatomical sites, however, are closely associated with key symptoms such as chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dyschezia, and dysuria. Consequently, in a meta-analysis[1] focusing on pain type and intensity as primary outcomes, reliance solely on rASRM staging may lead to a systematic underestimation of the true association between lesion anatomy and symptom burden. Secondly, the inclusion criteria of this meta-analysis[1] required that all participants have surgically and histologically confirmed endometriosis. However, in clinical practice, not all patients with symptomatic endometriosis undergo surgical treatment. The decision to proceed with surgery is often influenced by multiple factors, including symptom severity, response to medical therapy, coexisting infertility, or suspicion of advanced disease. Consequently, the population represented in this meta-analysis may be skewed toward patients with more severe symptoms, more complex disease, or disease refractory to medical management.
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