Endometriosis in Jamaica: report on a 15-year study at the University Hospital of the West Indies (1968-1982)

ABSTRACT

A clinical and pathological study on 108 cases of endometriosis observed at the University Hospital of the West Indies during a 15-year period (1968-1982) is reported. A low incidence was found when compared with similar studies conducted elsewhere. The peak age at occurence was 36 years. Common clinical manifestations were pelvic pain, infertility, dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia and dyspareunia. A preoperative diagnosis of endometriosis was made very infrequently. A high index of suspicion, careful clinical examination, including family history, pelvic examinatiuon and laparoscopy are required to improve the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis. The ovaries and the pelvic peritoneum were the commonest sites affected. There was a relatively high frequency of involvement of the fallopian tubes, laparotomy scars, umbilicus, uterine cervix and the vagina (AU)