Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women with Endometriosis is Associated with Psychiatric Disorder and Quality of Life Deterioration

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a condition associated with pelvic pain, infertility, and possibly with decreased quality of life as well as psychiatric disorder. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the association between pain characteristic, psychiatric disorder, and quality of life in women with endometriosis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done involving 160 women with medical diagnosis of endometriosis. Pain intensity was evaluated using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Quality of Life with Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-30), and psychologic condition with Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview International Classification of Diseases (Mini-ICD). RESULTS: VAS and psychiatric disorder were associated with higher EHP-30 score (β = 9.3 (95% CI: 7.15–11.45; p < 0.001 and β = 28.51 (95% CI: 20.06–36.05; p < 0.001), respectively) and hence, lower quality of life. The strongest correlation between VAS and EHP-30 was in pain (r=0.586; p<0.001) and ‘control and powerlessness’ (r = 0.583; p < 0.001). VAS was also higher in subjects with depression (49.5 (25.4–77.8) vs 34.4 (6.1–74.6); p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We conclude that severe endometriosis-related pain and the presence of psychiatric disorder were associated with lower quality of life. Comprehensive management of endometriosis is crucial to improve patients’ quality of life.