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Endometriosis: Clinical Challenges and Prognosis

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Obstetrics & Gynecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 November 2025 | Viewed by 2256

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, University of Granada, E-18016 Granada, Spain
Interests: women health; chronic pain; physical fitness; functional impairments; endometriosis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Endometriosis is among the most prevalent gynecologic diseases with estimated prevalence rates nearly 10% of women on reproductive age worldwide. Characterized by the presence of endome-trial-like tissue outside the uterine cavity, this complex condition causes a vast range of symptoms in suffering women, including both physical and mental problems, which in turn, ameliorates their quality of life. Conventional treatments for endometriosis usually include medical and surgical treatments, although elevated rates of treatment failure has been observed. Therefore, there is a need to optimize current treatment regimens as well as to explore new therapeutics that could improve quality of life of those women unresponsive to conventional treatments. Moreover, there is a need to develop non-invasive or minimally invasive diagnostic tools to reduce the large diagnostic delay observed in this disease.  

In this Special Issue, we invite researchers to contribute with manuscripts encompassing both clinical and preclinical studies, including but not limited to original articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and study protocols. Submissions that utilize qualitative or mixed methods approaches to address unmet needs, identify barriers, or highlight research priorities are particularly encouraged.

Dr. Francisco Artacho-Cordon
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • endometriosis
  • therapy
  • rehabilitation
  • psychology
  • diagnostics
  • ultrasound imaging
  • metabolomics
  • prognosis

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 208 KiB  
Article
Unmet Needs of Endometriosis Patients with Respect to Health Care Services: A Qualitative Study Using a Patient Training Workshop
by María Angeles Martínez-Zamora, Georgina Feixas, Eva Palou, Eva Flo, Aida Mallorquí, Meritxell Gracia, Anne-Sophie Gresle, Joan Escarrabill and Francisco Carmona
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(10), 3504; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14103504 - 16 May 2025
Viewed by 151
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Nowadays, endometriosis is considered a chronic inflammatory disease and has a very high impact on women who suffer from it due to the symptoms of pain and infertility, as well as the delay in diagnosis. The objective of our study was to [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Nowadays, endometriosis is considered a chronic inflammatory disease and has a very high impact on women who suffer from it due to the symptoms of pain and infertility, as well as the delay in diagnosis. The objective of our study was to identify the unmet needs of endometriosis patients and to explore opportunities for improvement with respect to health care services for endometriosis patients using a patient training workshop. Methods: A qualitative study with a participatory action research method was performed. A two-day training workshop for patients was designed to allow them to develop the confidence and skills necessary to participate in the identification of unmet needs in their healthcare. Eighteen patients were selected by purposive sampling. After each training session, a debate on a topic of interest was also organized among all the participants. Data collection involved the nominal group technique with triangulation of data for their analysis. Results: The suggestions brought up during the sessions were divided into four areas of work: improvement of patient care, information and communication, training of professionals/patients, and encouragement of patients to participate. This study is a successful novel example of co-production with endometriosis patients and health care professionals and provides valuable information for future improvements in the care of these patients. Conclusions: Co-production between endometriosis patients and healthcare professionals allowed us to identify unmet needs in their healthcare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endometriosis: Clinical Challenges and Prognosis)
11 pages, 247 KiB  
Article
Multidimensional Evaluation of Myofascial Pelvic Pain and Other Comorbidities in Endometriosis Patients
by Lara Quintas-Marquès, Marta Valdés-Bango, Carla Box, Meritxell Gràcia, Mariona Rius, Francisco Carmona and Maria-Ángeles Martínez-Zamora
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(10), 3455; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14103455 - 15 May 2025
Viewed by 251
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Pain associated with endometriosis is complex and influenced by multiple factors. The presence of myofascial pelvic pain (MPP), associated comorbidities, and overlapping symptoms may play a role in endometriosis-associated pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate MPP in patients [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Pain associated with endometriosis is complex and influenced by multiple factors. The presence of myofascial pelvic pain (MPP), associated comorbidities, and overlapping symptoms may play a role in endometriosis-associated pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate MPP in patients with endometriosis and correlate it with other self-reported comorbidities and symptoms, health-related quality of life, and mental health. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at a tertiary hospital referral center on 175 women with endometriosis. MPP was evaluated by clinical examination; if present, the patient was allocated to the MPP group (n = 84), and if absent, the patient was allocated to the non-MPP group (n = 91). Other comorbidities and symptoms frequently found in patients with chronic pain were also recorded. The Short Form 36-Item health questionnaire (SF-36) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered. Central sensitization-related symptoms were assessed using the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI). Results: Patients with MPP showed significantly higher scores related to endometriosis-associated pain, reported lower scores in all domains of the SF-36, and higher scores in the HADS questionnaire. This group also reported more comorbid symptoms and showed higher scores in the CSI questionnaire. In the multivariate analysis, severe non-cyclic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, and CSI ≥ 40 remained significantly associated with the presence of MPP. Conclusions: Endometriosis patients with MPP presented more pain comorbidities and general symptoms. Moreover, they reported more endometriosis-associated pain and worse health-related quality of life, and they may be at higher risk of depression and anxiety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endometriosis: Clinical Challenges and Prognosis)

Other

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8 pages, 21772 KiB  
Case Report
Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis of the Left Ureter Managed with Laparoscopic Ureterolysis Combined with Allium Ureteral Self-Expandable Stent: A Case Report
by Marcin Jozwik, Magdalena Miłobędzka, Joanna Wojtkiewicz, Jörg Neymeyer, Artur Jakimiuk and Maciej Jozwik
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(22), 6769; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13226769 - 11 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1448
Abstract
Introduction: In endometriosis, urinary tract involvement occurs in 1–5.5% of cases, where the ureter is affected in 9–23%. Unfortunately, endometriosis may remain asymptomatic even with significant anatomical progression. A delay in the diagnosis and treatment of ureteral endometriosis may result in hydronephrotic [...] Read more.
Introduction: In endometriosis, urinary tract involvement occurs in 1–5.5% of cases, where the ureter is affected in 9–23%. Unfortunately, endometriosis may remain asymptomatic even with significant anatomical progression. A delay in the diagnosis and treatment of ureteral endometriosis may result in hydronephrotic kidney damage and functional impairment. Methods: We present a case of a 36-year-old woman with a left ureteral stricture caused by deep infiltrating endometriosis accompanied by severe kidney-induced arterial hypertension. In March 2022, the patient underwent both laparoscopic excision/evaporation of deep infiltrating endometriosis from the left ovarian fossa and left ureterolysis, followed by an ureterorenoscopic dilatation of the left ureter via the placement of an Allium self-expandable stent. Results: This stent was successfully removed 18 months later. A computed tomography check-up confirmed normal ureteral patency with no signs of endometriosis. Elevated blood pressure also resolved. Conclusions: Deep infiltrating endometriosis can lead to asymptomatic yet serious complications. A successful treatment of ureteral endometriosis may require multidisciplinary management, including a simultaneous laparoscopic and ureterorenoscopic approach. Ureteral stent placement is a minimally invasive state-of-the-art solution for ureteral stricture(s) and should be considered the first choice in women of reproductive age suffering from ureteral deep infiltrating endometriosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endometriosis: Clinical Challenges and Prognosis)
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