The impact of videolaparoscopic surgery in the treatment of endometriosis on depression levels.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic surgical treatment of endometriosis on the levels of health-related depression in patients using a validated questionnaire.

Methods: A prospective study was carried out between September 2020 and May 2022 in a private hospital (São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil), which analysed depression using the Beck Depression Inventory-II, on 103 patients undergoing surgical treatment for endometriosis, evaluated preoperatively and 3 and 6 months after the procedure. Patients with unsuccessful clinical treatment for endometriosis and pain level ≥7 on Visual Analog Scale and who agreed to participate in the study were included. Demographic data were acquired by consulting medical records.

Results: The average age of the participants was 36±6.3 years; the majority of patients were brown (68.6%), married (66.6%), overweight (55.8%), had had hormonal treatments with progestogens (50.9%), low fertility (50.9%), severe endometriosis (39.3%), endometriosis surgery+myomectomy (29.4%) and one (1%) patient withdrew from the study. There was a statistically significant reduction in mean Beck Depression Inventory between the preoperative period and 6 months after surgery (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Surgical treatment of endometriosis appears to have a positive impact on the symptoms of depression in the patients evaluated.