Women with endometriosis face a much higher risk of developing several autoimmune diseases, according to new research from the University of Oxford.
The study found a strong genetic connection between endometriosis and conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease, and multiple sclerosis. Women with endometriosis were shown to have a 30% to 80% greater chance of being diagnosed with these immune-related disorders.
Researchers say this discovery could lead to new treatments that target multiple conditions at once.
Endometriosis is a painful disorder where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other parts of the body. It affects around 1.5 million women in the UK. Common symptoms include severe period pain and extreme fatigue.
The study used data from the UK Biobank, examining over 8,000 cases of endometriosis and 64,000 cases of various immune-related diseases. In total, the researchers studied links between endometriosis and 31 different immune conditions.
Professor Krina Zondervan, co-lead of the study and head of the Nuffield Department of Women’s and Reproductive Health at Oxford, said the results offer important insight into how diseases are connected.
“We now have solid evidence showing a biological link between endometriosis and other conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis,” she said. “This opens the door to finding new treatment options that could benefit patients with more than one condition.”
The findings suggest that drug repurposing or developing combination treatments could be promising next steps. The team also emphasized the need for regular monitoring of women with endometriosis for signs of immune disorders.
The study was mainly funded by Wellbeing of Women UK. The charity’s chief executive, Janet Lindsay, called the research “an important step” in improving understanding of endometriosis.
“For too long, women’s health issues like endometriosis have been underfunded,” she said. “It’s vital we invest in the next generation of researchers to improve outcomes for patients.”
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