Effects of Endometriosis on Bone Mineral Density

This study will compare bone mass in women with a history of endometriosis, a disease in which the lining of the uterus grows on nearby tissues, to that of women who have not had endometriosis. Endometriosis may be treated with medication or surgery, or both. Because uterine tissue grows more when estrogen levels are high, medical treatment is designed to lower estrogen. Decreased estrogen, however, is often associated with weak bones and hot flashes. Also, women with endometriosis may have lower bone density as a consequence of their disease. This study will look at bone density in these women, particularly to see if areas other than the lower back may be affected.

Regularly menstruating women between 40 and 50 years old, with or without a history of endometriosis, may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened by telephone; women with endometriosis are asked to provide documentation of their endometriosis before beginning the study.

Study participants undergo the following tests and procedures:

* Medical history and blood sample collection * Questionnaires about exercise activity, calcium intake, menstrual cycle history, cigarette use and medication history * DEXA scan: This test evaluates the strength of the bones in the back, wrist, and hip. The DEXA scanner uses low-energy x-rays to determine bone density. Scans are done of the lower spine, upper thigh, hip, and the entire body. For the test, the subject lies on the scanning table. Each scan takes about 3 minutes, and the entire procedure may take as long as 1 hour.

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Key information

Conditions

Endometriosis Bone Diseases Bone Diseases, Metabolic Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Genital Diseases Genital Diseases, Female Metabolic Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Osteoporosis Urogenital Diseases

Age range

40 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Observational

Primary location

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

About this study

After peaking in the third decade, bone mineral density (BMD) decreases slowly over time, with a more dramatic short-term decline at the time of menopause. Because of the association with osteoporosis and fracture, evaluation of BMD at the time of menopause is recommended, as is identification and treatment of any reversible causes of bone mineral loss. Most studies of women with endometriosis have shown no change or decreased BMD, while rats with induced endometriosis had a marked decrease in BMD. Often, studies in women did not control for factors that are known to affect bone density such as body mass index (BMI), exercise, or calcium intake. To address the question of whether endometriosis is associated with a change in BMD, we previously matched healthy volunteers and endometriosis patients for age, race, BMI, exercise level and calcium intake and compared BMD in the two groups. We found a decrease in BMD in women aged 40 - 50 who had a history of endometriosis, in comparison to women who did not have such a history. This study will expand that experience by studying more women aged 40 - 50 years with a history of endometriosis and matching them to women of the same race with similar age and BMI, who do not have a history of endometriosis. Participants will fill out a questionnaire about their medical, exercise and dietary history and will provide a single blood sample. A bone density study will be done and results will be made available to the participants.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Regularly cycling women between the ages of 40 and 50 with surgically documented endometriosis (preferably biopsy proven, but unequivocal operative reports may allow inclusion).

Regularly cycling women between the ages of 40 and 50 who are healthy volunteers.

Women will be matched by ethnicity, by BMI within 5 kg/M(2), and by age (at the time of DEXA) in two groups: 40 - 45 years and 45 - 50 years.

Exclusion criteria

Women who are pregnant or lactating or who have abnormalities in the medical history or screening laboratory tests that might contribute to abnormal BMD (e.g. hypercalcemia, renal failure) will not be enrolled

We will not include women who currently or have previously taken medications known to affect bone mineral density (e.g. thyroid hormone suppression, supraphysiologic glucocorticoids, GnRH, dilantin) or those that suggest menstrual abnormalities (fertility drugs), but we will consider other prescription drug use on a case-by-case basis.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Nih

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of Endometriosis on Bone Mineral Density

Important dates

Study start: 2006
Study completion: 2009
First posted: Feb 13, 2006
Registry last updated: Jul 2, 2017

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

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