Endometriosis in patients with female genital tract congenital anomalies: A retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The relationship between female genital tract congenital anomalies and endometriosis is less clear. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and high-risk factors of endometriosis in patients diagnosed with female genital tract congenital anomalies with functioning endometrium.

METHODS

In this study that included 675 patients who were diagnosed with female genital tract anomalies with functioning endometrium and underwent surgery between January 2013 and December 2023. Data on clinical characteristics were obtained and analyzed. Quantitative and categorical variables were compared using Student's t-test and chi-squared test, respectively.

RESULTS

The incidence of endometriosis in patients with obstructive anomalies (52.1 %) was significantly higher than non-obstructive anomalies (15.5 %). Ovarian endometrial cysts had the highest incidence among all types of endometriosis (61 %). The incidence of endometriosis and revised American Fertility Society (rAFS) scores were significantly higher in obstructive uterine anomalies or obstructive cervical anomalies than in the obstructive vaginal anomalies group (45.57±25.56, 49.35±33.82, and 31.24±27.82, P= 0.014). Age, cyclic abdominal pain, hematometra before surgery, and type of obstructive anomalies had significant effects on endometriosis in patients with obstructive genital tract anomalies. Multivariant linear regression analysis showed that rAFS scores were associated with cyclic abdominal pain (b = 0.200, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence and severity of endometriosis were higher in obstructive uterine anomalies or obstructive cervical anomalies. Age, cyclic abdominal pain, hematometra before surgery, and type of obstructive anomalies were the main risk factors for endometriosis in patients with obstructive genital tract anomalies. Cyclic abdominal pain was positively correlated with the severity of endometriosis.