Endometriosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Endometriosis, including details on causes, treatment, symptoms, infertility.

Endometriosis and systemic lupus erythematosus: a comparative evaluation of clinical manifestations and serological autoimmune phenomena.

Pasoto SG, Abrao MS, Viana VS, Bueno C, Leon EP, Bonfa E

Rheumatology Division, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. reumato@edu.usp.br

PROBLEM: In view of evidences suggesting association between endometriosis (EM) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we have performed a comparative evaluation of clinical and humoral immunologic abnormalities in both diseases. METHOD OF STUDY: Forty-five women (18-40 years) with histologically confirmed pelvic EM, 21 healthy-women and 15 female SLE-patients (18-40 years) without surgically confirmed EM were prospectively evaluated. Immunologic investigations were performed by blinded researchers. RESULTS: None of the EM-patients fulfilled criteria for SLE. However, EM-patients presented higher frequencies of arthralgia (62%) and generalized myalgia (18%) superior than normal-controls (24%, P = 0.004/0%, P = 0.048) but comparable with SLE-patients (33%, P = 0.052/27%, P = 0.5). Similarly to SLE (7%), 9% of EM-patients presented fibromyalgia. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were detected in 18% of EM-sera, as compared with healthy-women (0%, P = 0.014) and SLE-patients (93%, P = 0.0005). In contrast with SLE, antibodies to dsDNA, Sm and U1RNP were negative in EM-sera. Anti-Ro and anticardiolipin antibodies were more often in SLE (40%, 33%) than in EM-patients (2%, P < 0.001/9%, P = 0.04). Elevated immune-complexes and low total complement were more frequent in SLE (40%, 13%) compared with EM-sera (7%, P = 0.005/0%, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate differences of ANA antigenic specificity and complement consumption between EM and SLE. The high prevalence of generalized musculoskeletal complaints in EM justifies a multidisciplinary approach.

Published 25 March 2005 in Am J Reprod Immunol, 53(2): 85-93.
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