Publication

Abstract : BACKGROUND Endometriosis is a gynaecological condition in which cells in the endometrium appear and flourish outside the cavity of uterus, mostly on the ovaries. Other sites include fallopian tubes and ligaments supporting uterus. Its exact cause is still unknown. Endometriosis shows elevated levels of cytokines, decreased apoptosis and cell mediated abnormalities. Women with endometriosis were found to have higher rates of autoimmune disorders including hypothyroidism. OBJECTIVE To compare the incidence of hypothyroidism in married women with endometriosis (Study group) and married women without endometriosis (Control group). METHODS Sixty married women with endometriosis and sixty married women without endometriosis (Age group: 20-40 years) attending Gynaecology Outpatient Department of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, from October 2012 to March 2013 were enrolled in the case control study. Serum levels of free T4 and TSH were estimated by chemiluminescent Immunoassay method. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Student's 't test was done using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0; p value RESULTS 78.33% (47) of the women in the study group were hypothyroid. In the control group, only 13.33% (8) had hypothyroidism (p value- CONCLUSION Incidence of hypothyroidism was higher in married women with endometriosis when compared to control group. Screening for thyroid diseases in endometriosis is indicated. KEYWORDS Endometriosis, Hypothyroidism, Married Women.