A pioneering longitudinal study by researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ) has revealed that endometriosis is a significant contributor to hospitalizations within Australia’s healthcare system. This groundbreaking research, which is the first of its kind, examines the long-term effects of endometriosis on hospitalization rates, utilizing health data from more than 13,500 women over a span of 27 years, up until 2022.
Led by Dr. Dereje Gete from UQ’s School of Public Health, the study found that women diagnosed with endometriosis were hospitalized more frequently than those without the condition, although their hospital stays tended to be shorter. However, following the initial diagnosis, women with endometriosis experienced more hospital admissions and longer stays, suggesting the recurrence of the condition despite surgical treatments. This recurrence poses substantial challenges for the long-term management of the disease.
“Once women with endometriosis were diagnosed, they had more hospitalisations and longer stays compared to before their diagnosis. This indicates recurrence of the condition, even after surgical intervention, posing significant challenges for long-term management,” said Dr. Gete.
Endometriosis is a chronic and often debilitating condition where tissue resembling the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing a wide range of symptoms, including severe pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome. Dr. Gete highlighted that approximately one in seven Australian women between the ages of 44 and 49 are affected by the condition, significantly reducing quality of life.
“Endometriosis can significantly reduce a woman’s quality of life through severe pelvic pain, infertility, irritable bowel syndrome, and mental health issues. Despite advancements in medical and surgical treatments, there remains a high recurrence rate,” Dr. Gete explained.
The research also emphasized the substantial burden of endometriosis on both affected individuals and the healthcare system. Professor Gita Mishra, a senior author of the study, noted that the findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to address the condition’s recurrence and its impact on healthcare resources.
“This study highlights the substantial burden of this chronic condition on both patients and the healthcare system, with frequent hospital admissions and prolonged stays. More research is needed to develop targeted interventions,” Professor Mishra said.
The study, published in eClinicalMedicine, used data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health survey and contributes valuable insights into how a diagnosis of endometriosis affects healthcare use and the challenges posed by this widespread condition.
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