Impact of SARS-COV2 Pandemic on Patients with Endometriosis and Their Health Care.

ABSTRACT

Background: Endometriosis is a debilitating chronic inflammatory disease. The current SARS-COV2 pandemic has had an impact on the management of these patients. Tele-health care has been a relevant tool. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the SARS-COV2 pandemic on the perceived clinical health status and the type of care received in patients with endometriosis. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 945 premenopausal women treated at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona between October 1 and December 31, 2020. Five hundred forty-nine women had endometriosis, and 396 had other benign gynecological diseases. An online health survey was sent to these patients. Clinicopathological features data were recorded. Results: Compared to patients with other benign gynecological diseases, a higher proportion of patients with endometriosis reported worsening of their symptoms (148/549, 27% vs. 85/396, 21.5%) and concern about their disease (515/549, 93.8% vs. 342/396, 86.4%), and more frequently received tele-health care (73.8% vs. 54.0%) during the pandemic. Patients with endometriosis and "significant" pelvic pain reported more concern and worsening than patients without "significant" pelvic pain, and evaluated the assistance received poorly. Multivariate analysis showed pelvic pain, limitation in usual activity, and sadness as risk factors of perception of disease worsening. Awaiting surgery and the feeling of sadness were risk factors of concern. Conclusions: Patients with endometriosis, and especially patients with "significant" pelvic pain, reported greater concern and the perception of worsening during the SARS-COV2 pandemic. Tele-health is a useful tool in patients with endometriosis, and face-to-face visit should be considered in those reporting "significant" pelvic pain. Clinical Trial Registration Number HCB 1202011497.