Qualità di vita nelle pazienti con endometriosi: tendenze recenti

Endometriosis is a benign disease that predominantly affects women during the reproductive years and it is one of the most common and expensive gynecological chronic diseases. It is associated with a rich variety of symptoms including chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea and infertility. The studies evaluated show how the symptoms of endometriosis have a negative impact on psycho-social parameters resulting in a significant reduction of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), measured using different scales. The results of the studies show that the sexuality of these women is severely compromised and that the working life is sacrificed because of a pain that often becomes disabling. In this context, it is necessary a multidisciplinary approach that takes into account the mutual and constant interaction between organic factors, psychological and social ones. The aim of this review is to evaluate the impact of endometriosis on health status, on psychosocial parameters and, consequently, on the quality of life, based on current data from the international scientific literature. © Copyright 2012, CIC Edizioni Internazionali, Roma.