BACKGROUND<\/p>\n
Atherosclerosis is a chronic and degenerative disease developing typically in the elderly; nonetheless, a condition of accelerated atherosclerosis can be observed precociously in the presence of some diseases. Endometriosis, a chronic benign gynecological disorder, shows some characteristics, such as oxidative stress, systemic inflammation and a pro-atherogenic lipid profile, which could increase the risk of developing accelerated atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in young European women with endometriosis.<\/p>\n
METHODS<\/p>\n
This cross-sectional study included 37 women with endometriosis and 31 control subjects. The presence of subclinical atherosclerosis was investigated by ultrasound evaluation of common carotid intima-media thickness (ccIMT) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD); in addition, serum levels of lipids, inflammatory and coagulation parameters, as well as markers of endothelial inflammation and activation, were determined.<\/p>\n
RESULTS<\/p>\n
Women with endometriosis showed significantly lower values of FMD compared with controls [mean difference: –4.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): –6.52, –2.73; P<\/I> < 0.001], whereas no significant differences in ccIMT values were found between the two groups. As regards markers of endothelial inflammation and activation, women with endometriosis had significantly higher values of inter-cellular adhesion molecule 1 (P<\/I> < 0.001), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (P<\/I> < 0.001), E-selectin (P<\/I> < 0.001), von Willebrand factor (P<\/I> = 0.004) and ristocetin cofactor (P<\/I> = 0.001) compared with controls.<\/p>\n
CONCLUSIONS<\/p>\n
Our study suggests that women with endometriosis have more subclinical atherosclerosis, resulting in a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, our findings demonstrate that endothelial dysfunction can occur in the absence of structural atherosclerotic changes; its evaluation might be helpful in young women with endometriosis.<\/p>\n
Source: BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is a chronic and degenerative disease developing typically in the elderly; nonetheless, a condition of accelerated atherosclerosis can be observed precociously in the presence of some diseases. Endometriosis, a chronic benign gynecological disorder, shows some characteristics, such as … Continue reading
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