Environmental Factors in Development of Endometriosis

Kim, D H; Chi, J S; Kim, J K; Kim, D W

Abstract

To investigate the prevalence of endometriosis and its associated risk factors which influence the development of endometriosis in korean women in special, we have performed prospective case-control study for endometriosis in multicenter since May, 1, 1996. For 14 months from May 1, 1996 to June 30, 1997, 110 women with endometriosis were detected by laparoscopic operation. To conduct a case-control study, 226 patients with no evidence of endometriosis were randomly selected from a group of women who underwent laparoscopic surgery. Information obtained through physical examination and a questionnaire was studied by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The results are as follows: 1. Endometriosis was significantly higher among 30s age group[age 30~39] 2. Educational and socioeconomic factors did not appear to be associated with the development of endometriosis. 3. Endometriosis was significantly greater in unmarried women than in married women[p=0.0001]. 4. The risk of development of endometriosis was higher in the group of patients with family history of endometriosis[OR=2.5, p<0.05]. 5. There were no ssignificant association between the constitutional factors, weight and height, and smoking and endometriosis. 6. The probability of endometriosis was lower among women with regular exercise[OR=0.6]. 7. Menarche age was not related with the development of endometriosis. 8. The risk for emdometriosis was significantly greater among women with menstrual cycle length 27 or less, moderate degree or more of dysmenorrhea, and longer duration of menstruation[8 day or more]. 9. The number of abortion, age of first pregnancy did no appear to be associated with the presence of endometriosis. 10. There seemed to be a trend for increasing risk among women with no experience of pregnancy and child birth[OR=1.4]. 11. The other factors such as vaginal douch after menstruation, use of oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices did not appear to be related with development of endometriosis.