Excess CVD risk found in women with endometriosis

Endometriosis appears to be associated with a significantly elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), specifically ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, as suggested in a study.

Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective and retrospective cohort studies in which cardiovascular outcomes such as ischaemic heart disease (which include myocardial infarction and other manifestations of coronary heart disease), cerebrovascular disease, and/or cardiovascular mortality were examined in relation to endometriosis.

A literature search conducted using multiple online databases, with a total of 856 studies identified. Six studies were finally included in the systematic review, of which five had data for meta-analyses. All six were cohort studies, with two conducted in Taiwan, one in the UK, one in Finland, and two in the US. A total of 254,929 participants comprised the overall population.

Pooled data, which were obtained using random-effects meta-analysis, showed that endometriosis carried a significantly elevated risk of ischaemic heart disease (hazard ratio [HR], 1.50, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.37–1.65; I²=0 percent) and cerebrovascular disease (HR, 1.17, 95 percent CI 1.07–1.29; I²=0 percent).

The single study wherein the relationship between cardiovascular mortality and endometriosis was examined showed evidence of a lower risk of death among women with vs without endometriosis (HR, 0.55, 95 percent CI, 0.47–0.65).

More studies are needed to establish whether endometriosis or its treatments are risk factors for CVD and whether preventive measures could reduce the CVD burden in women with endometriosis.