A recent study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry takes a new approach to the pathogenesis of endometriosis, focusing on psychosocial factors and genetic predisposition. Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory gynaecological disease affecting approximately 10-15% of women of childbearing age. Although the exact causes of the disease are still not fully understood, researchers are finally beginning to recognise that not only biological but also psychological and social factors may play a role in its development.
The aim of the comprehensive study, conducted by researchers at Yale University and other international institutions, was to explore the role of childhood and adult traumatic experiences and genetic predisposition in the risk of endometriosis. Three large databases were used: data from the UK Biobank (8276 endometriosis patients and more than 240,000 controls), a GWAS meta-analysis (nearly 23,000 endometriosis patients and more than 450,000 controls), and the Finnish FinnGen biobank (more than 16,000 endometriosis patients and more than 110,000 controls).
In the study, participants completed a detailed self-report questionnaire covering 16 different traumatic or stressful life events. These included physical and sexual abuse, childhood neglect, emotional trauma, war experiences, natural disasters or life-threatening accidents. The researchers used a variety of statistical techniques, including multiple regression analyses, latent class analysis (LCA), genetic correlation and polygenic risk score (PRS) analyses.
The results showed that women with endometriosis were significantly more likely to report traumatic experiences in childhood and adulthood than those without the disease. The difference was particularly significant for emotional and physical abuse and sexual abuse. A latent class analysis revealed that women with endometriosis were more likely to belong to groups with higher trauma burden, such as emotional-physical trauma or sexual trauma, while control group members were more likely to be in the "no trauma" category.
Genetic analyses have shown that there is an overlap between endometriosis and psychological trauma. The polygenic risk score for endometriosis was associated with the likelihood of developing the disease, but no significant interaction was found between genetic predisposition and trauma. This suggests that trauma may act as a risk factor in its own right and not merely as an amplifier of genetic vulnerability.
The study concluded that traumatic experiences, particularly childhood abuse and neglect, are strongly associated with the risk of endometriosis. These psychosocial factors may also be independent risk factors for the development of the disease, regardless of genetic background. This may also point to new directions in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.
The researchers emphasise that psychological support for women with endometriosis and the integration of trauma interventions into treatment can help improve patients' quality of life. In addition, a systematic assessment of early trauma history can also help in earlier detection of the disease. The results of the study highlight the need for a holistic approach to women's health and emphasise that mental and physical health cannot be separated.
Fortunately, now your doctor doesn't just send you to a psychologist because he thinks the pain is all in your head, hypochomder or hypersensitive. Fortunately, thanks in part to the pioneering work of EndoBlog, more and more is being said about how clinical health psychology can do a lot for recovery, without the unpleasant side effects and risky interventions. Come with me, I'll help you find your way to where you want to go!
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Source : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39908042/
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