"Better late than never but never late is better", especially in young women. A multicenter Italian study on diagnostic delay for symptomatic endometriosis. (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pino, Ida; Belloni, Gaia Maria; Barbera, Valeria; Solima, Eugenio; Radice, Davide; Angioni, Stefano; Arena, Saverio; Bergamini, Valentino; Candiani, Massimo; Maiorana, Antonio; Mattei, Alberto; Muzii, Ludovico; Pagliardini, Luca; Porpora, Maria Grazia; Remorgida, Valentino; Seracchioli, Renato; Vercellini, Paolo; Zullo, Fulvio; Zupi, Errico; Vignali, Michele
• Other Names: Mauro Busacca collaborator.; Nicola D'Alterio Maurizio collaborator.; Cecilia Bonin collaborator.; Alessio Perandini collaborator.; Paola Viganò collaborator.; Ludovica Bartiromo collaborator.; Jessica Ottolina collaborator.; Matteo Schimberni collaborator.; Domenico Incandela collaborator.; Walter Alio collaborator.; Federica Perelli collaborator.; Ilaria Piacenti collaborator.; Sara Scaramuzzino collaborator.; Claudia Massarotti collaborator.; Simona Del Forno collaborator.; Nicola Berlanda collaborator.; Edgardo Somigliana collaborator.; Agnese Donati collaborator.; Gabriele Centini collaborator.; Lucia Lazzeri collaborator.; Luca La Banca collaborator.; Caterina Exacoustos collaborator.; Giuseppe Sorrenti collaborator.; Roberta Venturella collaborator.
• Is Part Of: European journal of contraception & reproductive health care. Volume 28:Number 1(2023)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: Endometriosis -- diagnostic delay -- diagnosis -- chronic pelvic pain -- adolescent endometriosis; Contraception -- Periodicals; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; Generative organs, Female -- Periodicals; Contraception -- Periodicals; Reproductive Medicine -- Periodicals; 613.9
• DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2022.2128644
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1362-5187

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the length of diagnostic delay of symptomatic endometriosis in Italy and analyse the presence of correlations between the socio-demographic status of patients and the clinical characteristics/type of diagnosis. Materials and methods: This multicenter cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in 10 tertiary Italian referral centres for diagnosis and treatment endometriosis. A total of 689 respondents with histologically proven endometriosis and onset of the disease with pain symptoms completed an on-line self-reported questionnaire written in their own language (World Endometriosis Research Foundation-Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project-Endometriosis Patient Questionnaire–Minimum) evaluating endometriosis related symptoms, family history of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain, demographic data, as well as medical, reproductive, and obstetric history. Results: The mean diagnostic delay found was of 11.4 years. The mean time (14.8 years) from symptoms onset to diagnosis was significantly longer among patients aged 9–19 vs patients aged 20–30 (mean 6.9 years, p < 0.001) and patients aged 31–45 (mean 2.9, p < 0.001). No significant association were found between a delayed diagnosis and any of the clinically relevant factors such as the number or severity of the reported symptoms, familiarity, hormonal therapy intake or methodology of diagnosis. Conclusions: The mean diagnostic delay of endometriosis in Italy is about 11 years. The delay can be up to 4 years longer in patients with pain symptoms onset under 20 years. Educating clinicians and patients on pathologic nature of endometriosis related pelvic pain is advisable to reduce waiting time to diagnosis, especially for young women.