COVID-19 and endometriosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessment of clinical interactions between endometriosis and Covid-19 during the 2020 pandemic: an observational patient questionnaire study
IRAS ID
284799
Contact name
Gonzalo Mezquita
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Free Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
Endometriosis is a chronic disease associated with pelvic pain and subfertility, where endometrial-like mucosa spreads outside the uterus, predominantly in the pelvis. Prevalence rates in the general population are unknown because the definitive diagnosis is established only at laparoscopy. Based on community prevalence estimates of symptoms, endometriosis probably affects 10% of all and 30-50% of symptomatic premenopausal women. This represents ~ 176 million affected women worldwide.
Presentations are varied and include pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and infertility, and endometriosis can be physically and emotionally debilitating. Currently, there is no information available on how Covid-19, or the effects of the pandemic, affects women with endometriosis. It is unknown whether there is direct pathological interaction, though patients with pulmonary endometriosis are likely at higher risk.
We would like to investigate the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on patients with endometriosis, including incidence and prevalence of covid-19 in this group, exacerbation of symptoms and delay in surgical treatment. An online questionnaire will be sent to patients who recently attended a webinar hosted jointly by the Royal Free Hospital and Endometriosis UK. This study will provide valuable information to improve the care of endometriosis patients, by identifying how endometriosis patients have been directly and indirectly affected by Covid-19.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/WM/0062
Date of REC Opinion
9 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion