0
0
University of Barcelona researchers contribute to groundbreaking study on trauma and endometriosis
An international study, featuring significant contributions from the University of Barcelona, has unveiled new evidence that strengthens the link between traumatic experiences and endometriosis, a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that affects millions of women worldwide. The findings, published in JAMA Psychiatry, suggest that specific traumatic events, particularly those involving physical or sexual abuse, are closely linked to the development of endometriosis. This marks a major step forward in understanding the complex interplay between trauma and this debilitating condition.
Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus, often causing pain, infertility, and other health complications. The study indicates that trauma involving direct physical interaction between the victim and the abuser, such as in physical abuse or sexual assault, appears to play a central role in the development of the disease.
Through genetic analysis, the research team revealed that the connection between trauma and endometriosis does not seem to be dependent on genetic predisposition. “These results challenge established paradigms by uncovering shared genetic mechanisms linking endometriosis with post-traumatic stress disorder and other types of trauma,” explained Dora Koller, the first author of the study and researcher at the Department of Genetics, Microbiology, and Statistics at the University of Barcelona’s Faculty of Biology. Koller, also a researcher at Yale School of Medicine, emphasized the novelty of the findings, noting that previous research had not fully explored how the type of trauma influences the risk of developing endometriosis.
The study included the analysis of over 240,000 women, with 8,276 women diagnosed with endometriosis and 240,117 controls, using data from the UK Biobank. The findings reveal that women with endometriosis were more likely to have experienced certain traumatic events compared to healthy individuals. Notably, they were 17% more likely to have witnessed a sudden death, 16% more likely to have been sexually assaulted in adulthood, and 36% more likely to have received a life-threatening diagnosis. These results suggest that a variety of traumatic experiences, from emotional to physical, could be linked to the disease.
The study also delved into genetic analyses, revealing correlations between endometriosis and trauma-related conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and child abuse. “Childhood trauma, such as being physically abused by a family member or feeling rejected, was also linked to an increased risk of endometriosis,” Koller said. This highlights the potential long-term impact of early adverse experiences on the development of the disease.
Importantly, the genetic analyses suggested that the relationship between trauma and endometriosis is not explained by a direct interaction between genes and the environment. Instead, the findings suggest that individuals with a genetic predisposition to endometriosis may also be more likely to experience or recall traumatic events, which could then influence the development of the disease.
These findings have significant implications for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. The researchers suggest that a comprehensive approach to diagnosis, incorporating both genetic factors and a history of traumatic experiences, could lead to earlier and more accurate detection of the condition. This could, in turn, help improve care and outcomes for women affected by endometriosis.
The study, which also involved researchers from institutions such as Yale University, the University of Oxford, and Massachusetts General Hospital, further highlights the importance of considering both physical and mental health in the management of endometriosis. “We may be able to design early endometriosis screening programs that consider not only genetic factors but also a history of physical trauma or other risk factors,” said Koller.
While the study’s findings need further confirmation, they pave the way for a more holistic approach to understanding and addressing endometriosis, offering hope for more effective treatments and interventions.
Disclaimer: This article is based on preliminary findings published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. Results should be considered in the context of ongoing research, and further studies are necessary to confirm the link between trauma and endometriosis.
