Association Between Pelvic Endometriosis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Females in Reproductive Age: Cross-sectional study

Background: Endometriosis is a pathological state distinguished by the endometrial-like tissue located in ectopic regions leading to chronic inflammation, adhesions, and scar tissue potentially distorting a woman's pelvic anatomy. Objective: To study the association between pelvic endometriosis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease(IBD) using fecal calprotectin analysis in cases diagnosed by laparoscope. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 patients of reproductive age who have symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, or change in bowel habits, symptoms of dysmenorrhea, dysuria, or dyschezia, and all cases were subjected to laparoscopy and diagnosed as pelvic endometriosis. Results: The fecal calprotectin level varied from 9.0 – 70.0 μg/g with a mean level of 24.36 ± 14.07 μg/g. For correlating calprotectin level and endometriotic cyst, the studied group was stratified according to the localization of cysts. There was a significant statistical correlation between calprotectin level and endometriotic cyst among the studied 1 ^st (one cyst) and 2 ^nd group (2 cysts, P=0.015). Conclusion: Calprotectin levels were significantly associated with endometriosis severity. Moreover, severe endometriosis adhesions increased calprotectin levels. These findings point up the IBD-endometriosis possible association.