GBA mutations in Parkinson disease: earlier death but similar neuropathological features.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mutations in the glucocerebrosidase (GBA) gene are known to be a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Data on clinicopathological correlation are limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinicopathological findings that might distinguish PD cases with and without mutations in the GBA gene. METHODS: Data from the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders were used to identify autopsied PD cases that did or did not have a GBA gene mutation. Clinical and neuropathological data were compared. RESULTS: Twelve PD cases had a GBA mutation and 102 did not. The GBA mutation cases died younger (76 vs. 81 years of age) but there was no difference in disease duration or clinical examination findings. No neuropathological differences were found in total or regional semi-quantitative scores for Lewy-type synucleinopathy, senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, white matter rarefaction or cerebral amyloid angiopathy scores. CONCLUSIONS: In longitudinally assessed, autopsied PD cases, those with GBA mutations had a younger age at death but there was no evidence for clinical or neuropathological differences compared to cases without GBA mutations. Due to the small GBA group size, small differences cannot be excluded.

Perineural versus intravenous dexamethasone as adjuncts to local anaesthetic brachial plexus block for shoulder surgery.

This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared the effect of perineural with intravenous dexamethasone, both administered concomitantly with interscalene brachial plexus block for shoulder surgery. Patients received 8 mg dexamethasone mixed with ropivacaine in the block injection (n = 42), 8 mg dexamethasone intravenously at the time of the block (n = 37), or intravenous saline (n = 41) at the time of the block. Perineural and intravenous dexamethasone resulted in prolonged mean (SD) duration of block to 16.9 (5.2) h and 18.2 (6.4) h, respectively, compared with 13.8 (3.8) h for saline (p = 0.001). Mean (SD) opioid consumption (morphine equivalents) during the first 24 h after postanaesthesia recovery arrival was 12.2 (9.3) mg in the perineural dexamethasone, 17.1 (15.9) mg in the intravenous dexamethasone and 24.1 (14.3) mg in the saline groups (p = 0.001). Dexamethasone via either route reduced anti-emetic use (p = 0.046). There was no effect on patient satisfaction. These results suggest that both perineural and intravenous dexamethasone are useful adjuncts to ropivacaine interscalene block, with the intravenous route preferred as this avoids the possibility of neural toxicity of dexamethasone.

Differential spectral quantitative electroencephalography patterns between control and Parkinson's disease cohorts.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is believed that progressive Lewy-type synucleinopathy (LTS) is primarily responsible for the worsening of motor and non-motor Parkinson's disease (PD) signs and symptoms. Characterization of quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) abnormalities across the spectrum of LTS to PD dementia (PD-D) may provide insight into the pathophysiology of PD cortical dysfunction. Here our enlarged EEG database was leveraged to characterize spectral QEEG abnormalities in asymptomatic autopsy-defined groups of control participants and incidental Lewy body disease (ILBD) and three clinically defined groups of participants with PD (cognitively normal PD, mild cognitive impairment PD, and PD-D). METHODS: The PD cohort was studied as part of the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders (AZSAND). AZSAND utilizes its Brain and Body Donation Program to perform prospective, standardized, regular longitudinal pre-mortem assessments until death. Resting EEG from subjects was analyzed for spectral domain QEEG measures of background rhythm frequency and global relative power in delta, theta, alpha and beta bands. RESULTS: The various spectral QEEG measures showed differential changes specific to the groups compared. Important findings were background rhythm frequency showing the most pairwise differences across the groups, and this also was the only significant difference between control and ILBD. An increase in delta bandpower was characteristic of worsening cognitive deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Different patterns of change amongst QEEG measures across LTS and PD cognitive states suggest that they correlate with heterogeneous pathophysiologies of cortical dysfunction within the PD clinical spectrum. In addition, the biomarker application of a specific spectral QEEG measure needs to be selectively suited to its study purpose.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment and risk of fractures: a meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies.

UNLABELLED: Studies on use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and risk of fracture have yielded inconsistent results. This meta-analysis, which pooled results from 13 qualifying cohort and case-control studies, found that SSRIs were associated with a significantly increased risk of fractures. INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to assess whether people who take SSRIs are at an increased risk of fracture. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies. Relevant studies published by February 2010 were identified through literature searches using MEDLINE (from 1966), EMBASE (from 1988), PsycINFO (from 1806), and manual searching of reference lists. Only cohort or case-control studies that examined the association of SSRIs and risk of fracture and bone loss were included. Data were abstracted independently by two investigators using a standardized protocol; disagreements were resolved by consensus. Random effects models were used for pooled analysis due to heterogeneity in the studies. RESULTS: Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria. Overall, SSRI use was associated with a significantly increased risk of fracture (relative risk, RR, 1.72; 95% CI [1.51, 1.95]; P < 0.001). An increased fracture risk associated with SSRIs also was observed in the three studies that adjusted for bone mineral density (RR, 1.70; 95% CI [1.28, 2.25]; P < 0.001) and in the four studies that adjusted for depression (RR 1.74; 95% CI [1.28, 2.36]; P < 0.001). SSRI use was not associated with bone loss in the two cohort studies of women (P = 0.29). The overall association between SSRI use and fracture risk was weaker (RR, 1.40; 95% CI [1.22, 1.61]), though still significant (P < 0.001) in analyses that accounted for apparent publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: Use of SSRIs is associated with increased risk of fracture. The SSRIs may exert an increased risk of fracture independent of depression and bone mineral density.

Quantitative EEG as a predictive biomarker for Parkinson disease dementia.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated quantitative EEG (QEEG) measures as predictive biomarkers for the development of dementia in Parkinson disease (PD). Preliminary work shows that QEEG measures correlate with current PD cognitive state. A reliable predictive QEEG biomarker for PD dementia (PD-D) incidence would be valuable for studying PD-D, including treatment trials aimed at preventing cognitive decline in PD. METHODS: A cohort of subjects with PD in our brain donation program utilizes annual premortem longitudinal movement and cognitive evaluation. These subjects also undergo biennial EEG recording. EEG from subjects with PD without dementia with follow-up cognitive evaluation was analyzed for QEEG measures of background rhythm frequency and relative power in δ, , α, and ß bands. The relationship between the time to onset of dementia and QEEG and other possible predictors was assessed by using Cox regression. RESULTS: The hazard of developing dementia was 13 times higher for those with low background rhythm frequency (lower than the grand median of 8.5 Hz) than for those with high background rhythm frequency (p < 0.001). Hazard ratios (HRs) were also significant for > median bandpower (HR = 3.0; p = 0.004) compared to below, and for certain neuropsychological measures. The HRs for δ, α, and ß bandpower as well as baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were not significant. CONCLUSION: The QEEG measures of background rhythm frequency and relative power in the band are potential predictive biomarkers for dementia incidence in PD. These QEEG biomarkers may be useful in complementing neuropsychological testing for studying PD-D incidence.

[Knot in a thoracic epidural catheter]. / Nœud dans un cathéter péridural thoracique.

We report a case of impossible injection into a thoracic epidural catheter associated with a difficult withdrawal of this catheter after its introduction on the T3-T4 level. Thanks to a gentle and continuous traction, the catheter was finally successfully removed without being broken, but presented a simple knot at 13mm from its end. No neurological complication was observed later on. This complication happened during the introduction of the catheter at the thoracic level where anatomic conditions are less favorable for this kind of complication to happen than at the lumbar level. We have been probably confronted with a catheter taking an abnormal direction due to an anatomic structure. This case shows us that knots in an epidural catheter are also possible on the high thoracic level and that its ascent within the epidural space must happen without any resistance.

Depression, fracture risk, and bone loss: a meta-analysis of cohort studies.

UNLABELLED: Whether depression can increase the risk of bone fractures is uncertain. This meta-analysis, which pooled results from 14 qualifying individual cohort studies, found that depression was associated with a significantly increased risk of fractures and bone loss. INTRODUCTION: The effect of depression on the risk of bone fractures is controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis of prospective studies that examined the risk of osteoporotic fractures and bone loss associated with depression. METHODS: We searched databases and reviewed citations in relevant articles to identify cohort studies that met prestated inclusion criteria; 14 studies were identified. Information on study design, participant characteristics, exposure and outcome measures, control for potential confounders, and risk estimates was abstracted independently by two investigators using a standardized protocol. Data were pooled by use of a random-effects model. RESULTS: In studies that reported fracture outcomes as hazard ratios (HRs) (six studies [n = 108,157]), depression was associated with a 17% increase in fracture risk (HR = 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.36; P = 0.05); in studies that reported risk ratios as fracture outcomes (four studies [n = 33,428]), depression was associated with a 52% increase in risk (risk ratio, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.26-1.85; P < 0.001). In studies that reported bone mineral density as an outcome (five studies [n = 8,931]), depression was associated with a reduced annualized bone loss rate of 0.25% (0.05-0.45%; P = 0.02) at the hip and 0.29% (-0.07-0.64%; P = 0.11) at the spine. The HR for the three studies (n = 14,777) that did not adjust for antidepressant treatment was 1.30 (95% CI, 1.11-1.52; P = 0.01), and the HR for the three studies (n = 93,380) that did adjust for antidepressant treatment was 1.05 (95% CI, 0.86-1.29; P = 0.6). CONCLUSION: Evidence supports an association between depression and increased risk of fracture and bone loss that may be mediated by antidepressants.

Urinary cadmium, osteopenia, and osteoporosis in the US population.

SUMMARY: The association between cadmium and osteoporosis in a multiethnic population is unclear. We found that urinary cadmium is consistently associated with osteopenia and osteoporosis in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, regardless of age, sex, race, and smoking status. Cadmium exposure may be an independent risk factor for osteoporosis. INTRODUCTION: Our purpose was to test whether cadmium exposure is associated with a higher prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in the general US population and selected subgroups. METHODS: We used multinomial logistic regression to analyze data on 10,978 subjects (aged 30-90) from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We studied the association of urinary cadmium levels (adjusted for urinary creatinine) and the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis as defined by the World Health Organization. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, calcium intake, and physical inactivity, odds ratios (ORs) for osteopenia and osteoporosis increased dose dependently with two urinary cadmium levels (in micrograms of urinary cadmium per grams of urinary creatinine: level I, 1.00-1.99 mcg/g; level II, > or =2.00 mcg/g). Osteopenia results were as follows: level I OR, 1.49 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-1.80); level II OR, 2.05 (95% CI, 1.52-2.78). Osteoporosis results were as follows: level I OR, 1.78 (95% CI, 1.26-2.52); level II OR, 3.80 (95% CI, 2.36-6.14). The association was consistent in all age, sex, race, and smoking status subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Cadmium exposure may be a potential risk factor for osteopenia and osteoporosis in the general US population.

Depression and low bone mineral density: a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies.

SUMMARY: The association between depression and loss of bone mineral density (BMD) has been reported inconsistently. This meta-analysis, which pooled results from 14 qualifying individual studies, found that depression was associated with a significantly decreased BMD, with a substantially greater BMD decrease in depressed women and in cases of clinical depression. INTRODUCTION: The reported association between depression and loss of BMD has been controversial. This meta-analysis was conducted to determine whether depression and BMD are associated and to identify the variation in some subgroups. METHODS: English-language articles published before October 2008 were used as the data source. A total of six case-controlled and eight cross-sectional studies met prestated inclusion criteria (N = 10,523). Information on study design, participant characteristics, measurements of BMD and depression, and control for potential confounders was abstracted independently by two investigators using a standardized protocol. RESULTS: Overall, depression was associated with a significant decrease in mean BMD of spine (-0.053 g/cm(2) [95% confidence interval {CI} -0.087 to -0.018 g/cm(2)]) and hip (-0.052 g/cm(2) [95% CI -0.083 to -0.022 g/cm(2)]). A substantially greater BMD decrease was observed in depressed women (-0.076 g/cm(2) in spine; -0.059 g/cm(2) in hip) and in cases of clinical depression (-0.074 g/cm(2) in spine; -0.080 g/cm(2) in hip). CONCLUSION: Depression is associated with low BMD, with a substantially greater BMD decrease in depressed women and in cases of clinical depression. Depression should be considered as an important risk factor for osteoporosis.

Pathologic findings in prospectively ascertained essential tremor subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To assess pathologic changes in prospectively characterized subjects with essential tremor (ET). METHODS: Subjects enrolled in the Sun Health Research Institute Brain and Body Donation Program were examined annually by a movement disorders neurologist, and semiannually by a behavioral neurologist and neuropsychologist. Twenty-four subjects without a prior diagnosis of dementia or other major movement disorder met clinical criteria for ET and came to autopsy. Subjects with mild cognitive impairment (n = 3) were included. These subjects were compared with 21 controls. Brains were examined postmortem according to standardized protocols for assessment of age-related changes and specific pathologic conditions (e.g., Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease). RESULTS: Subjects had a mean age of 86.2 years and a mean duration of tremor of 11.1 years. Seven subjects had evidence for cerebellar pathology (Purkinje cell loss, cerebellar cortical sclerosis, and proliferation of Bergmann glia). Pigmented neurons were qualitatively depleted in the locus ceruleus in eight subjects and in the substantia nigra in five subjects. Of these, three had Lewy bodies, one subject had brainstem predominant disease, and two had limbic stage. Three subjects had a nonspecific cerebral tauopathy and another met pathologic criteria for progressive supranuclear palsy. However, when compared with controls, only changes in the locus ceruleus and gliosis of the cerebellum remained significant findings. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports previous findings of heterogenous pathology in essential tremor (ET). There is an increased frequency of cerebellar gliosis and locus ceruleus depletion. We did not find an increased incidence of Lewy bodies in subjects with ET.

Factors associated with the prophylactic effect of placebo injections in subjects enrolled in a study of botulinum toxin for migraine.

We set out to identify predictors for the prophylactic effect of placebo injections in subjects with migraine by post hoc analysis of 81 subjects with episodic migraine receiving single-blind placebo injections in a prospective trial of botulinum toxin. Possible predictors of placebo prophylaxis were compared among placebo responders (PRs) and placebo non-responders (PNRs). There were 34 PRs (42%) and 47 PNRs (58%). Male gender [odds ratio (OR) 5.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12, 30.14, P = 0.022], a history of opioid use (OR 4.44, 95% CI 1.47, 13.41, P = 0.005) and injections in the neck/shoulders (OR 2.44, 95% CI 0.93, 3.19, P = 0.033) were associated with placebo response. Of subjects with two or more of these signs, 88% were PRs compared with 31% of subjects with one or less. Male gender, opioid use and injections in the neck/shoulders are associated with placebo prophylaxis. These findings may have important implications for the design of future clinical trials and for the clinical management of migraineurs.

Both early and late cognitive dysfunction affects the electroencephalogram in Parkinson's disease.

We sought to define quantitative electroencephalographic (EEG) measures as biomarkers of both early and late cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease (PD). PD subjects classified as cognitively normal (PD-CogNL), mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), and dementia (PD-D) were studied. Cognitive status and neuropsychological testing was correlated with background rhythm and frequency band EEG power across five frequency bands. We conclude that global EEG measures have potential use as biomarkers in the study of both early and late cognitive deterioration in PD, including for evaluating its treatment. PD-MCI has mean quantitative EEG characteristics that represent an intermediate electrophysiological state between PD-CogNL and PD-D.

The yield of capsule endoscopy in patients with abdominal pain or diarrhea.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Capsule endoscopy, proven effective for evaluation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and suspected Crohn's disease, is increasingly used to investigate other small-intestine disorders, but its yield for other indications is not well known. We sought to evaluate its yield and findings for abdominal pain or diarrhea. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients with abdominal pain or diarrhea (> 6 weeks' duration) who underwent capsule endoscopy between August 2001 and June 2004 were retrospectively reviewed for demographic data, indications, findings, diagnoses, complications, and radiologic studies. All patients had previous endoscopic or radiologic examinations (colonoscopy, enteroscopy, upper endoscopy, small-bowel series, computed tomography enterography, or computed tomography) demonstrating no abnormalities sufficient for diagnosis. RESULTS: 64 patients (26 men; 38 women; mean age, 43 years; age range, 19 - 83 years) who met study criteria had 68 capsule endoscopy studies. Indications were abdominal pain (35 patients), diarrhea (14), or both (15). Complete small-bowel visualization with identification of the cecum was achieved in 81 %; yield of positive findings was 9 % (6 patients). By indications, the yield was 6 % for abdominal pain, 14 % for diarrhea, and 13 % for both. Diagnoses included Crohn's disease (3), enteropathy induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (2), and submucosal tumor (1). Capsule retention occurred in two patients, requiring surgical removal. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy had a low yield for evaluation of abdominal pain or diarrhea and cannot be recommended as a first-line test without further study. Nonetheless, it facilitated diagnosis in 9 % of patients with negative endoscopic and radiologic examinations.

Longitudinal changes in cognition and behavior in asymptomatic carriers of the APOE e4 allele.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether memory loss is detectable before the symptomatic presentation of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in those at greater genetic risk for Alzheimer disease (AD) based upon presence or absence of the e4 allele of APOE. METHODS: Participants were age 50 years or older who responded to newspaper advertisements. A total of 212 cognitively normal individuals of known APOE genotype were initially enrolled in a match paradigm that included e4 homozygotes, e3/4 heterozygotes, and e4 noncarriers in a 1:1:2 ratio (53 sets). Of the original 212 individually matched participants, 180 completed at least two epochs of testing including 45 APOE e4/4 homozygotes, 42 APOE e3/4 heterozygotes, and 93 APOE e4 noncarriers, mean age 60 (+/-6.2) years. Of these, four developed MCI or AD during the follow-up period and were excluded from analysis. Longitudinal neuropsychological study included two verbal (Auditory Verbal Learning Test [AVLT], Selective Reminding Test [SRT]) and two visual (Complex Figure Test [CFT], Visual Retention Test) memory tests. RESULTS: Multiple measures on both verbal memory tests showed poorer performance over a mean interval of 33 months in e4 carriers than noncarriers: AVLT total learning, long term delayed recall; SRT free and cued recall. Among those age 50 to 59 years, AVLT long term delayed recall, SRT free and cued recall, and CFT recall declined more in APOE e4 carriers. No differences were found in the domains of language, spatial skills, or executive function. CONCLUSIONS: Memory declined in APOE e4 carriers before the symptomatic presentation of MCI in a cohort whose mean age was 60 years over a median period of 33 months. The decline began prior to age 60.

Ropinirole for restless legs syndrome: a placebo-controlled crossover trial.

The authors performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of ropinirole (0.5 to 6.0 mg/day) for restless legs syndrome (RLS). The RLS Rating Scale score improved (p < 0.001) from a mean (SD) of 25 (7) during placebo treatment to 13 (12) during ropinirole treatment. Eight of the 22 patients had complete resolution of symptoms on ropinirole. Adverse events included nausea and dizziness. Ropinirole was effective and well tolerated for treating the symptoms of RLS.

Motor unit number estimates in idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

We previously reported changes in motor unit morphology in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) using subjective and computerized quantitative electromyography. Now, we present data on motor unit number estimates (MUNE) to address the hypothesis of motor neuron dropout in PD. Twenty patients with PD and 20 age-matched control subjects were screened by clinical criteria and nerve conduction studies to exclude those with neuropathy. Motor unit number estimates in the extensor digitorum brevis and hypothenar group were assessed by three different MUNE techniques. The MUNE technique types included (1) the statistical method developed by Daube, (2) a threshold method, and (3) an F-wave method. The overall multivariate comparison for the six MUNE measurements was significantly lower for the patients than the controls (P=0.02). The only significant difference in the individual measures was found in the threshold MUNE method of the hypothenar group (P<0.05). These results are consistent with those of our previous work, and both support the hypothesis that mild motor neuron dropout occurs in idiopathic PD. However, MUNE methods characteristically have large standard deviations which make it difficult to detect small changes. Progress in decreasing the variance of MUNEs will facilitate their use in detecting small motor unit number changes in neurodegenerative disease.

Harvesting autologous fascia lata for pelvic reconstructive surgery: techniques and morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine donor site morbidity associated with harvesting of fascia lata. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed medical records and evaluated responses to mailed questionnaires from all patients who underwent fascia lata harvesting during a 54-month period. Data were collected about immediate complications and long-term morbidity related to the donor site. RESULTS: The study comprised 71 patients. Immediate postoperative complications were limited to 1 (1%) hematoma that required drainage, 2 (3%) seromas, and 5 (7%) cases of cellulitis that required oral antibiotics. Questionnaire response rate was 77%, with a mean follow-up of 25 months. Of the responders, 22 (40%) reported mild symptoms, 3 (5%) reported clinically significant symptoms related to the donor leg, and 7 (13%) expressed dissatisfaction because of unacceptable cosmesis (n = 5), leg discomfort (n = 5), or both. CONCLUSION: There was little immediate postoperative morbidity. Although many patients may be expected to report long-term symptoms related to the donor leg, these symptoms are generally mild, and the incidence of patient dissatisfaction is relatively low.

Preclinical cognitive decline in late middle-aged asymptomatic apolipoprotein E-e4/4 homozygotes: a replication study.

In a previous cross-sectional study of 100 asymptomatic individuals aged 49-69, we reported age-related decline in immediate and delayed memory that was steeper in apolipoprotein E (apoE)-e4/4 homozygotes than in members of other genetic subgroups. These findings were preliminarily based upon the statistical problem of multiple comparisons. We therefore sought to replicate these findings in a new cohort. From 1998 to 2000, 80 asymptomatic residents of Maricopa County, AZ were recruited through newspaper ads. 20 apoE-e4/4 homozygotes, 20 e3/4 heterozygotes, and 40 e4 noncarriers were matched (1:1:2) by age, gender, and years of education. All had normal neurologic and psychiatric examinations, including Folstein minimental status exam (MMSE) and Hamilton depression scale, and underwent a battery of neuropsychological tests identical to those in our previous study. The groups were well-matched for age (55.9+/-5.9 years), gender (60% women), and education (15.9+/-2.2 years), and were demographically similar to our previous cohort. Complex figure test recall was lower in e3/4 heterozygotes than noncarriers, but there was no significant difference between e4/4 homozygotes and noncarriers. There were no other significant differences in mean test scores between groups, but Wechsler adult intelligence scale-revised (WAIS-R) digit span showed a significant negative correlation with age in the e4/4 homozygote group relative to e4 noncarriers (p=0.008) as we had found in our previous study. In conclusion, we found a significant negative correlation of WAIS-R digit span with age in apoE-e4/4 homozygotes relative to e4 noncarriers in two separate cohorts, possibly reflecting an age-related effect on frontal lobe function in this genetic subgroup.

Endometriosis: correlation between histologic and visual findings at laparoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to correlate the diagnosis of endometriosis on the basis of visualization at laparoscopy with the pathologic diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of 44 patients undergoing laparoscopy for the evaluation of chronic pelvic pain was carried out. All areas suggestive of endometriosis were excised and examined pathologically. Peritoneal biopsy specimens were obtained from areas of normal-appearing peritoneum to rule out microscopic endometriosis. All lesions were identified by anatomic site. Visual and histologic American Fertility Society scores were compared. The positive predictive value, sensitivity, negative predictive value, and specificity were determined for visually identified endometriosis versus the histologic correlate. RESULTS: The mean prevalence of abnormalities visually consistent with endometriosis was 36%, with 18% confirmed histologically. The positive predictive value was 45%; sensitivity, 97%; negative predictive value, 99%; and specificity, 77%; for visual versus histologic diagnosis of endometriosis. Thirty-six percent of the diagnoses were downstaged on the basis of histologic findings. CONCLUSION: A diagnosis of endometriosis should be established only after histologic confirmation.