The prevalence of fimbrial pathology in patients with early stages of endometriosis

Study objective: The presence of fimbrial pathology in advanced endometriosis is clearly understood. However, little is known about the prevalence of fimbrial pathology in early stages of endometriosis. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of fimbrial pathology in patients with infertility with early stages of endometriosis. Design: Historical cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II/III). Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: The study group (Group 1) consisted of 315 infertile women who were found to have stage I or stage II endometriosis, and the control group (Group 2) consisted of 152 infertile women without endometriosis (Group 2). Intervention: Laparoscopic evaluation for the presence and type of fimbrial pathology. Measurements and main results: The prevalence of fimbrial pathology was significantly higher in infertile patients with early stages of endometriosis (50.2%) compared with infertile patients with no endometriosis (17.8%, p <.0001). Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest the presence of fimbrial pathology in many patients with early stages of endometriosis. Such pathology may act as a mechanical factor interfering with the ovum pick-up mechanism.