Treatment patterns of women with endometriosis in Canada

Abstract

Introduction: We aimed to characterize the treatment patterns of women with a self-reported diagnosis of endometriosis in Canada. Methods: Between December 2018 and January 2019 an online cross-sectional survey was administered to women aged 18 to 49 who were members of the Survey Sampling International and two partner panels in Canada. The survey included a prevalence screener and an endometriosis-focused section. Self-reported treatment patterns among women reporting endometriosis diagnosis were analyzed descriptively. Results: Of 30,000 survey respondents, 2004 reported an endometriosis diagnosis (prevalence after weighting of 7%). Treatment status reported by these women was: 34.2% currently treated, 35.9% with prior but no current treatment, and 27.1% never treated. Among women with prior or current treatment, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, contraceptive pills/patches, and surgical procedures were used by 42.0%, 37.1%, and 26.4%, respectively, prior to diagnosis and by 39.9%, 33.0%, and 43.5%, respectively, following diagnosis. First treatments for endometriosis most commonly reported were OTC medications (28.9%) and surgical procedures (21.6%). Second treatments were reported by 46.5% of women, with surgical procedures (26.1%) being the most frequently reported. The most commonly reported endometriosis-associated surgeries were surgical ablation/excision (37.4%). Conclusion: A relevant proportion of women with endometriosis in Canada have multiple therapies with medical management as a first line followed by surgical options. These results emphasize the need to identify more effective and specific endometriosis treatment options and novel strategies.

Hot topics and fresh look on old problems: A new vision of the Journal of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Disorders

“…1. the growing problems of endometriosis and uterine fibroids, [5][6][7] which constitute a huge burden on health care systems, 8 2. pathophysiology-what new knowledge is available, which direction we should follow, new pathways, new experimental therapies, connections with various pathologies, 3,9 3. diagnostics-new directions-markers, tests that do not require surgery, radiological tests, 10,11 4. careful planning of treatment-not every patient should be operated, we know that some of them should not undergo such an operation at all -that is, surgery seen not as a mere diagnosis ("diagnosis by struggle"), but as a diagnostic tool and thoughtful immediate treatment in a comprehensive treatment center. 12 We also need some complementary therapies, what do we know about them?…”

“…the growing problems of endometriosis and uterine fibroids, 5 –7 which constitute a huge burden on health care systems, 8…”