ABSTRACT
The objective of this prospective study was to determine the plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO) in women with chronic pelvic pain secondary to endometriosis (n=24) and abdominal myofascial pain syndrome (n=16). NO levels were measured in plasma collected before and 1 month after treatment. Pretreatment NO levels (μM) were lower in healthy volunteers (47.0±12.7) than in women with myofascial pain (64.2±5.0, P=0.01) or endometriosis (99.5±12.9, P<0.0001). After treatment, plasma NO levels were reduced only in the endometriosis group (99.5±12.9 vs 61.6±5.9, P=0.002). A correlation between reduction of pain intensity and reduction of NO level was observed in the endometriosis group [correlation = 0.67 (95%CI = 0.35 to 0.85), P<0.0001]. Reduction of NO levels was associated with an increase of pain threshold in this group [correlation = -0.53 (-0.78 to -0.14), P<0.0001]. NO levels appeared elevated in women with chronic pelvic pain diagnosed as secondary to endometriosis, and were directly associated with reduction in pain intensity and increase in pain threshold after treatment. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of NO in the pathophysiology of pain in women with endometriosis and its eventual association with central sensitization.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Young Adult , Chronic Pain/etiology , Endometriosis/complications , Nitric Oxide/blood , Pain Threshold/drug effects , Pelvic Pain/etiology , Chronic Pain/blood , Endometriosis/surgery , Laparoscopy , Myofascial Pain Syndromes/complications , Pain Measurement , Prospective Studies , Pelvic Pain/blood , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum concentrations of CA-125 and soluble CD-23 and to correlate them with clinical symptoms, localization and stage of pelvic endometriosis and histological classification of the disease. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 44 women with endometriosis and 58 without endometriosis, during the first three days (1st sample) and during the 7th, 8th and 9th day (2nd sample) of the menstrual cycle. Measurements of CA-125 and soluble CD-23 were performed by ELISA. Mann-Whitney U test was used for age, pain evaluations (visual analog scale) and biomarkers concentrations. RESULTS: Serum levels of CA125 were higher in endometriosis patients when compared to the control group during both periods of the menstrual cycle evaluated in the study. This marker was also elevated in women with chronic pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia (2nd sample), dysmenorrhea (both samples) and painful defecation during the menstrual flow (2nd sample). CA-125 concentration was higher in advanced stages of the disease in both samples and also in women with ovarian endometrioma. Concerning CD-23, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups. CONCLUSION: The concentrations of CA-125 were higher in patients with endometriosis than in patients without the disease. No significantly differences were observed for soluble CD-23 levels between groups.
OBJETIVO: Avaliar as concentrações séricas de CA-125 e CD-23 solúvel e correlacioná-los com sintomas clínicos, localização e estádio da endometriose pélvica e classificação histológica da doença. MÉTODOS: Amostras de sangue foram coletadas de 44 mulheres com endometriose e 58 sem endometriose durante os primeiros três dias (1ª amostra) e durante o sétimo, o oitavo e o nono dia (2ª amostra) do ciclo menstrual. As dosagens de CA-125 e CD-23 solúvel foram realizadas por ELISA. O teste U de Mann-Whitney foi usado para idade, avaliação de dor (escala analógica visual) e para a concentração dos biomarcadores. RESULTADOS: Os níveis séricos de CA-125 foram mais altos nas pacientes com endometriose do que no grupo-controle quando avaliados em ambos os períodos do ciclo menstrual, assim como apresentaram-se elevados nessas mulheres quando referiam dor pélvica crônica, dispareunia de profundidade (coleta na 2ª amostra), dismenorreia (ambas as amostras) e dor ao evacuar durante o fluxomenstrual (coleta na 2ª amostra). A concentração de CA-125 foi mais alta no estádio avançado em ambas as amostras, assim como em mulheres com endometriomas ovarianos. Em relação ao CD-23 solúvel, nenhuma diferença estatisticamente significativa foi observada entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: As concentrações de CA-125 foram mais altas em pacientes com endometriose do que em pacientes sem a doença. Nenhuma diferença estatisticamente significativa foi observada para CD-23 solúvel entre os grupos.