Open AccessHealth‐related quality of life in women with endometriosis, compared with the general population and women with rheumatoid arthritis
Author(s) -
Verket Nina J.,
Uhlig Till,
Sandvik Leiv,
Andersen Marit H.,
Tanbo Tom G.,
Qvigstad Erik
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.13427
Subject(s) - medicine , endometriosis , rheumatoid arthritis , quality of life (healthcare) , population , obstetrics , gynecology , physical therapy , environmental health , nursing
Abstract Introduction Women with endometriosis have reduced health‐related quality of life ( HRQ oL). However, comparisons to the general population and other patient groups are lacking. Material and methods The present cross‐sectional questionnaire study included 157 women with endometriosis, 156 women from the general population, and 837 women with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ). During a period from 2012 to 2013, women aged 18‐45 years were recruited from the Norwegian Endometriosis Association and from a random sample of women residing in Oslo, Norway. HRQ oL data from women with RA were included from a survey conducted in 2009 among patients of the Oslo Rheumatoid Arthritis Register. The Short Form‐36 ( SF ‐36) questionnaire was used to measure HRQ oL. Results Compared with the control group, the endometriosis group had significantly reduced mean scores for all SF ‐36 scales. The difference was largest for the scale bodily pain with a mean score of 47.6 in the endometriosis group vs 81.5 in the control group. Compared with the RA group, the endometriosis group had significantly reduced mean scores for the three SF ‐36 scales vitality , social functioning , and mental health . The mean scores of these scales in the endometriosis group were 33.4, 62.7, and 66.3, respectively, vs 42.7, 68.8, and 72.6 in the RA group. Conclusions Women with moderate to severe endometriosis seem to have overall impaired HRQ oL compared with women from the general population, and poorer mental HRQ oL compared with women with RA .