Risk for and consequences of endometriosis: A critical epidemiologic review.

By A. Shafrir, L. Farland, D. Shah, H. R. Harris, Marina Kvaskoff, Krina T. Zondervan, S. A. Missmer. Best Practice & Research: Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 2018

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Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. Characteristics robustly associated with a greater risk for endometriosis include early age at menarche, short menstrual cycle length, and lean body size, whereas greater parity has been associated with a lower risk. Relationships with other potential characteristics including physical activity, dietary factors, and lactation have been less consistent, partially because of the need for rigorous data collection and a longitudinal study design. Critical methodologic complexities include the need for a clear case definition; valid selection of comparison/control groups; and consideration of diagnostic bias and reverse causation when exploring demographic characteristics, medical history, and lifestyle factors. Reviewers and editors must demand a detailed description of rigorous methods to facilitate comparison and replication to advance our understanding of endometriosis.

Subfields: Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/e0e54fe276cb46c8cacf3ac57151305d071fddd3