A large new study has found that women with a history of endometriosis or uterine fibroids may face an increased long-term risk of dying before the age of 70, particularly from gynaecological cancers. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, examined over 110,000 women aged 25 to 42 who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study II, a decades-long investigation into chronic disease risk factors among women.
Endometriosis, which affects about 10 percent of women of reproductive age, is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it. Fibroids, non-cancerous growths in or around the uterus, affect an estimated two-thirds of women during their lifetime, according to the UK National Health Service (NHS). Both conditions have been linked to various health problems, but this new study highlights their potential connection to early mortality.
The researchers found that women with endometriosis had a 31 percent higher risk of premature death compared to those without the condition. The study revealed that women with endometriosis experienced an all-cause death rate of 2 per 1,000 person-years, compared to 1.4 per 1,000 among women without the condition. This increased risk was mainly driven by deaths from gynaecological cancers.
While fibroids were not associated with an overall increase in early death, the study did find that women with fibroids had a higher risk of dying from gynaecological cancers. The authors of the study suggested that women with a history of endometriosis or fibroids might face a heightened long-term risk of early death, extending beyond their reproductive years.
The study, which spanned from 1989 to 2019, was observational in nature, meaning it identified associations but could not establish direct causality. However, the researchers pointed out that both endometriosis and fibroids have been previously linked to chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, and certain cancers, though their impact on premature mortality had been unclear until now.
Gynaecologist Francisco Carmona praised the study’s methodology, calling it “robust and well-founded.” He emphasized the importance of considering gynaecological diseases in the broader context of women’s health, noting that the study reinforces the need for early and personalized management. Carmona also pointed out that further research should address the impact of evolving diagnoses and treatments, such as ovary removal surgery, on long-term health outcomes.
The study’s findings underline the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for women suffering from these conditions, with potential implications for both clinical practice and health policy.
