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原文
A small study suggests that there are improvements in endothelial function after surgical treatment of endometriosis. Among potential benefits might be a reduction in cardiovascular risk, according to Italian researchers.The possible link between endometriosis and vascular dysfunction warrants "a wider awareness on the part of gynecologists, which also includes a careful evaluation of screening for cardiovascular diseases," Dr. Luca Santoro told Reuters Health by email. In a paper online April 28 in Human Reproduction, Dr. Santoro of the Catholic University of Rome and colleagues note that studies have suggested an association between endometriosis and atherosclerosis. They also point out that in their own previous work they found that women with endometriosis had endothelial dysfunction, expressed as impaired flow-mediated dilation (FMD). This might be considered as subclinical atherosclerosis. To examine possible changes in markers of subclinical atherosclerosis after surgical treatment, the researchers followed-up on some subjects from their earlier study. In all, there were 22 patients who had had surgery and 10 controls without endometriosis. At two years, compared to baseline, the patients showed a significant increase in FMD (average 5.07%). This was not true of controls whose increase was 1.56%. Moreover, the follow-up values of FMD were not significantly different between patients and controls. Markers of inflammation and endothelial cells activation were also similar. "Our results," say the researchers, "lead us to hypothesize that the endothelial function improvement we have found in patients with surgical treatment of endometriosis may have a prognostic relevance for variations of their cardiovascular risk." "Finally," they conclude, "further longitudinal studies are desirable to better define the real risk to develop cardiovascular events in these women." |
