A recent U.S.-based study has found that women suffering from endometriosis or uterine fibroids face a slightly higher risk of dying before the age of 70. The large-scale research highlights the significance of two common, yet often under-researched, conditions affecting millions of women worldwide.
Endometriosis is a chronic disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, affecting one in ten women globally. Uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths in the uterus, are believed to affect up to a quarter of all women. Despite their prevalence, both conditions have historically received limited attention from the medical community.
Analyzing data from over 110,000 women who have been monitored biennially since 1989, the study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) suggests that women with endometriosis or uterine fibroids have a slightly increased risk of early mortality. The researchers found that this elevated risk is linked to a higher incidence of other serious health issues, such as heart disease and certain cancers.
Specifically, the study indicated that uterine fibroids were associated with an increased risk of gynecological cancers. For women with endometriosis, the heightened risk of early death was connected to gynecological cancers as well as heart and respiratory diseases. According to the findings, women with endometriosis had between a 9% and 30% higher risk of dying before 70 compared to those without these health problems.
“These findings highlight the importance of healthcare providers being vigilant for these linked health conditions in patients with endometriosis and uterine fibroids,” the study’s authors emphasized.
This research underscores the need for greater awareness and understanding of health conditions that predominantly affect women. Historically overlooked, these conditions are beginning to receive more attention from both researchers and policymakers. The study’s findings may prompt further investigation and could lead to improved screening and management strategies for affected women.
Reference(s):
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