Evaluation of Bowel Function of Women with Colorectal Endometriosis: a Cross-Sectional Study.

The objective was to evaluate bowel function in women with colorectal endometriosis according to treatment type. Cross-sectional study, carried out with 141 women with endometriosis, followed by the University of Campinas from May 2020 to April 2021. Women were divided into 3 groups according to the kind of treatment: 16 women with conservative surgery, 35 women with radical surgery treatment, and 90 women with clinical treatment. The clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of these women were evaluated. To access bowel outcome, we used the following questionnaires: the Bristol Stool Scale, the Bowel Function in the Community, the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI), and the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20). The mean treatment time was 32.24 ± 29.37 months. The women of the three groups had similar gastrointestinal quality of life index scores (p = 0.27) and pelvic floor distress inventory scores (p = 0.23). Women in the radical surgery group had a higher frequency of evacuatory effort and change in posture to evacuate (p = 0.01 and 0.009, respectively) than did those in the other groups. Women with constipation had worse quality of life and more pain than those without constipation. In conclusion, women with endometriosis treated with radical surgery (segmental resection) had a higher frequency of constipation. In addition, women with endometriosis and constipation had a worse quality of life and higher pain scores compared to those without constipation.

DOES BOWEL FUNCTION IMPACTS ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND SEXUAL FUNCTION IN WOMEN WITH DEEP INFILTRATING ENDOMETRIOSIS ACCORDING KIND OF TREATMENT?

•Women with intestinal endometriosis may have impaired quality of life and altered bowel habits. Intestinal endometriosis can be treated medically or surgically. The bowel function of these women is directly correlated with sexual function and quality of life, regardless of the type of treatment. Background - Women with intestinal endometriosis may have a higher incidence of constipation, which may influence their quality of life. Objective - To correlate bowel function with sexual function and quality of life in women with deep endometriosis according to the type of treatment. Methods - Cross-sectional study carried out with 141 women with bowel endometriosis from May 2020 to April 2021. Women were divided into two groups according to kind of treatment: 51 women with surgery treatment and 90 women with medical treatment. The Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire were used to assess quality of life e Female Sexual Function Index were used to assess sexual function. To access bowel function we used the following questionnaires: Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory. Results - The mean age of women in the surgical group (37.98±5.91years) was higher than that of the medical group (35.68±5.45years) (P=0.006). There was no statistically significant difference between pain symptoms (P=0.905), water intake (P=0.573) or fiber (P=0.173) and physical activity (P=0.792) in both groups. There was no difference between quality of life and sexual function in both groups. There was a direct correlation of bowel function with quality of life and sexual function in both groups. Conclusion: Bowel function is directly correlated with sexual function and quality of life, regardless of the type of treatment.

Função intestinal impacta na qualidade de vida e na função sexual de mulheres com endometriose profunda de acordo com o tipo de tratamento? / Does bowel function impacts on quality of life and sexual function in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis according kind of treatment?

ABSTRACT Background: Women with intestinal endometriosis may have a higher incidence of constipation, which may influence their quality of life. Objective: To correlate bowel function with sexual function and quality of life in women with deep endometriosis according to the type of treatment. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 141 women with bowel endometriosis from May 2020 to April 2021. Women were divided into two groups according to kind of treatment: 51 women with surgery treatment and 90 women with medical treatment. The Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire were used to assess quality of life e Female Sexual Function Index were used to assess sexual function. To access bowel function we used the following questionnaires: Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory. Results: The mean age of women in the surgical group (37.98±5.91years) was higher than that of the medical group (35.68±5.45years) (P=0.006). There was no statistically significant difference between pain symptoms (P=0.905), water intake (P=0.573) or fiber (P=0.173) and physical activity (P=0.792) in both groups. There was no difference between quality of life and sexual function in both groups. There was a direct correlation of bowel function with quality of life and sexual function in both groups. Conclusion: Bowel function is directly correlated with sexual function and quality of life, regardless of the type of treatment.

RESUMO Contexto: Mulheres com endometriose intestinal podem apresentar maior incidência de constipação o que influencia na qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Correlacionar a função intestinal com a função sexual e qualidade de vida de mulheres com endometriose profunda de acordo com o tipo de tratamento. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com 141 mulheres com endometriose intestinal no período de maio de 2020 a abril de 2021. As mulheres foram divididas em dois grupos de acordo com o tipo de tratamento: 51 mulheres com tratamento cirúrgico e 90 mulheres com tratamento médico. O Questionário de Qualidade de Vida em Endometriose foi utilizado para avaliar a qualidade de vida e o Índice de Função Sexual Feminina foi utilizado para avaliar a função sexual. Para avaliar a função intestinal foram utilizados os seguintes questionários: Índice de Qualidade de Vida Gastrointestinal e Inventário de Estresse do Assoalho Pélvico. Resultados: A média de idade das mulheres do grupo cirúrgico (37,98±5,91 anos) foi maior que a do grupo médico (35,68±5,45 anos) (P=0,006). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre sintomas de dor (P=0,905), ingestão de água (P=0,573) ou fibra (P=0,173) e atividade física (P=0,792) em ambos os grupos. Não houve diferença entre qualidade de vida e função sexual em ambos os grupos. Houve uma correlação direta da função intestinal com qualidade de vida e função sexual em ambos os grupos. Conclusão: A função intestinal está diretamente correlacionada com a função sexual e qualidade de vida, independentemente do tipo de tratamento.