Prevalence of Autoantibodies in Patients with Endometriosis.

Ku, Seung Yup; Choi, Young Min; Jung, Byoung Joon; Suh, Chang Suk; Kim, Seok Hyun; Kim, Jung Gu; Moon, Shin Yong; Lee, Jin Yong

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2001;44(5):861-866.
Published online May 1, 2001.

Prevalence of Autoantibodies in Patients with Endometriosis.

Seung Yup Ku, Young Min Choi, Byoung Joon Jung, Chang Suk Suh, Seok Hyun Kim, Jung Gu Kim, Shin Yong Moon, Jin Yong Lee

¹Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
²Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Population, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To assess the prevalence of autoantibodies in patients with endometriosis MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prevalence of autoantibodies were investigated in 93 patients with endometriosis diagnosed by laparoscopy or laparotomy. Autoantibodies, such as antithyroglobulin antibody, antimicrosomal antibody, antinuclear antibody (ANA), antiphospho -lipid antibody (APA), lupus anticoagulant (LAC), anti-dsDNA, and rheumatoid factor, were measured in sera of the subjects. The prevalence and distribution of autoantibodies were analyzed according to the stage of endometriosis. RESULTS: All seven autoantibodies were checked in 73 patients out of 93 patients. Autoantibodies were identified in 23 of 73 patients with endometriosis (31.5%). Antibodies detected were antithyroglobulin antibody (15.2%), ANA (12.0%), antimicrosomal antibody (8.7%), anti-dsDNA (5.4%), and rheumatoid factor (4.4%), APA (2.2%) and LAC (1.3%). The prevalence of autoantibodies did not differ by the AFS stage. CONCLUSION: Autoantibodies were detected in about one-third of patients with endometriosis. The prevalence of autoantibodies did not differ by the stage.

Key Words: Autoantibody, Prevalence, Endometriosis, Stage