Hypovitaminosis E and Endometriosis in a Sub-Saharan Population

Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition defined by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus affecting approximately one in 10 women worldwide. Endometriosis is source of chronic pelvic pain and infertility and represents a significant economic burden. This study aims to determine the frequency of hypovitaminosis E in sub-Saharan women in Kinshasa with endometriosis and identify associated risk factors. A casecontrol study of 244 patients undergoing a laparoscopy in 8 Kinshasa medical centers between January 2019 and October 2022. Among these, 82 women with endometriosis (cases) and 164 women with a normal pelvis (controls) were matched in age function. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used to compare these two groups. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors related to endometriosis. Hypovitaminosis E in women with endometriosis was 74.39%. Dysmenorrhea (OR 24.234 [95% CI: 12.141 -50.026)], p < 0.001), nulliparity (OR 5.157 [95% CI: 2.458 -10.819], p < 0.001), history of unsafe abortion , p < 0.001), infertility (OR 5.157 [95% CI: 2.458 -10.819], p = 0.02), early menarche , p < 0.001) and hypovitaminosis E (OR 4.538 [95% CI: 2.523 -8.161], p < 0.001 were identified as risk factors. Use of oral contraceptives (OR 0.188 [95% CI: 0.093 -0.381], p < 0.001) had a protective factor against endometriosis. Despite some limits, our data underline the role of vitamin E deficiency as a potential factor of endometriosis in a