Endometriosis, a painful and complicated condition affecting millions of women worldwide, has long been classified based on surgical findings. New research shows what we've been seeing in clinic for a long time - that there is more to this complex condition than meets the eye. This study delves into the multidimensionality of endometriosis by categorising women with this condition into distinct clusters based on their comorbidities, or other pre-existing conditions.
In this journal, we will explore the significance of this research and how it shows our naturopathic personalised approaches to treatment are the best way forward to supporting this complicated condition
This is the new way of treating Endometriosis.
The study's primary objective was to identify clusters of women with endometriosis based on their comorbidities. To achieve this, the researchers analysed data extracted from the Spanish National Health System, including all visits of women aged 16-65. The result? Six distinct clusters of women with endometriosis emerged, each characterized by specific comorbidities:
Cluster 1: Less multiple chronic conditions.
Cluster 2: Anxiety and musculoskeletal disorders.
Cluster 3: Allergy or immediate hypersensitivity.
Cluster 4: Multiple chronic conditions.
Cluster 5: Anemia and infertility.
Cluster 6: Headache and migraine.
The data used for this study included 4,055 women aged between 21 and 50 with endometriosis. Notably, Cluster 1, characterized by less multiple chronic conditions, had the second-largest number of patients, with 1,212 individuals.
Meanwhile, Cluster 2, comprising patients with anxiety and musculoskeletal disorders, had lower numbers but a high frequency of clinical visits related to their multiple chronic conditions. This cluster's multiple chronic conditions included anxiety (73.85%), headache/migraine (68.55%), urinary infection (51.59%), chronic/allergic rhinitis (48.6%), bursitis/tendinitis (44.88%), anemia (31.1%), and elevated cholesterol (31.8%).
Cluster 3, focusing on anxiety and musculoskeletal disorders, was the largest in terms of patients, with 1,334 individuals.
This research reveals that endometriosis isn't a one-size-fits-all condition. By categorising patients into clusters based on their presenting conditions, it opens up the possibility of tailoring treatment approaches to specific patient profiles. Understanding these relationships could lead to breakthroughs in clinical, biochemical, and molecular research.
In conclusion, this study sheds light on the intricate connections between endometriosis and comorbid conditions, offering hope for more tailored and effective treatment strategies. It underscores the need to view endometriosis not as a monolithic condition but as a multi-faceted disorder with diverse "endometriosis routes" that can be better understood through careful clustering and analysis.
We see people with endometriosis every day in our clinic, and to be honest, we don't really need a study to confirm what we know BUT we love have science prove that
