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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Endometriosis | Research

Causal effects of endometriosis on SLE, RA and SS risk: evidence from meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization

Authors: Tianyou Tang, Yi Zhong, Sipei Xu, Huilin Yu

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2024

Background

Endometriosis is an underdiagnosed disorder that affects an estimated 6-10% of women of reproductive age. Endometriosis has been reported in epidemiological studies to be associated with autoimmune diseases. However, the relationship remains controversial.

Methods

A meta-analysis of observational studies was undertaken to evaluate the risk of autoimmune diseases in patients with endometriosis. The relevant studies were retrieved via the databases Medline, Embase and Web of Science until July 20, 2023. Mendelian randomization (MR) was subsequently utilized to scrutinize the causal influence of genetic predisposition toward endometriosis on three autoimmune diseases.

Results

The meta-analysis findings revealed a relationship between endometriosis and the onset of SLE (cohort studies: RR = 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.47–2.13, I² = 0%; Case-control and cross-sectional studies: OR = 5.23, 95% CI: 0.74–36.98, I² = 98%), RA (cohort studies: RR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.85–2.55, I² = 92%; Case-control and cross-sectional studies: OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.19–1.64, I² = 0%) and SS (cohort studies: RR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.34–1.66, I² = 0%). Similarly, in our MR study, the results of the inverse-variance-weighted (IVW) model suggested that genetic predisposition to endometriosis was causally associated with an increased risk for SLE (OR = 1.915, 95% CI: 1.204–3.045, p = 0.006) and RA (OR = 1.005, 95% CI: 1.001–1.009, p = 0.014).

Conclusions

Both our meta-analysis and MR study indicate that endometriosis increases the risk of autoimmune diseases. These findings not only broaden our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying the comorbidity of endometriosis and autoimmune diseases, but also offer a new strategy for autoimmune disease prevention.

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Title: Causal effects of endometriosis on SLE, RA and SS risk: evidence from meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization
Authors: Tianyou Tang
Yi Zhong
Sipei Xu
Huilin Yu
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Endometriosis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06347-9

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Causal effects of endometriosis on SLE, RA and SS risk: evidence from meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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