Self-Reported Prevalence of Endometriosis and its Symptoms in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Moamar Al-Jefout1,2
, Shamsa Alawar1, Zuhur Balayah1,3, Alia Al-Hareb1, Fatima Al-Ameri1, Maitha Alhosani1 and Hajar Al-Naqbi11Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, United Arab Emirates University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE.
2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mutah Medical Faculty, Mutah University, Jordan.
3College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University, Dubai, UAE.
Corresponding Author E-mail: drmoamar@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract: The true prevalence and risk factors for endometriosis among women in UAE are unknown. To estimate the prevalence of endometriosis among women in UAE aged 18 to 55 years, risk factors and related health problems. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study exploring information about reproductive events and gynecological problems including endometriosis. Among participants (n= 3572) confirmed endometriosis diagnosis was reported by 55 women. Hence, the estimated prevalence of endometriosis was 1.5 % (55/3572). Endometriosis was more prevalent among age 20-29 years. Endometriosis was more prevalent among those with cycle irregularity and long menses (≥7 days) (41.8% & 27.3 % vs 30.7% & 18.8%) respectively. Moreover, endometriosis was more prevalent among divorced women (26 (0.7%) vs 3 (5.5%), p-0,003) in control. Women with endometriosis were found to have more severe dysmenorrhea (49.1% (27) vs 17.6% (618)), infertility (12.7% (7) vs 0.9% (32), chronic pelvic pain (18.2% (10)) and dysuria (18.2% (10)) vs (2.5% (88) and 3.1% (108) respectively), p <0.001. Women with endometriosis more frequently experience abnormal uterine bleeding (20% (11) vs 4.3% (153), p<0.0001), uterine fibroids (10.9% (6) vs 0.7% (24), p<0.0001), and ovarian cysts (38.2% (21) vs 7.2% (252), p<0.0001). Ovarian cysts surgery was also strongly associated with endometriosis diagnosis (21.8% (12) vs 0.7% (23), p<0.0001. In our study, the estimate prevalence of endometriosis is 1.5 %. Irregular and prolonged periods, dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dysuria, being divorced and infertility are associated with endometriosis.
Keywords: Endometriosis; Epidemiology; Pelvic Pain;Prevalence Back to TOC