Research Priorities for Endometriosis

Area of Science:

• Reproductive medicine
• Gynecology
• Medical research policy

Background:

• The 3rd International Consensus Workshop on Research Priorities in Endometriosis convened in São Paulo in 2014.
• This workshop followed the 12th World Congress on Endometriosis and gathered 60 international experts.
• It aimed to build upon previous efforts to define research directions for endometriosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish updated and new research priorities for endometriosis.
• To guide high-quality research by identifying key areas for investigation.
• To promote advancements in understanding and managing endometriosis.

Main Methods:

• A consensus-based approach involving 5 main sessions: pathogenesis/pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis/classification/prognosis, disease/symptom management, and research policy.
• Review and update of 56 research recommendations from a prior 2011 meeting.
• Generation of 53 new research recommendations during the 2014 workshop.

Main Results:

• Of the 56 prior recommendations, 41 remained unchanged, 13 were updated, and 2 were completed.
• A total of 66 new research recommendations were generated, combining updated and novel suggestions.
• New focus areas included infertility, patient stratification, and research in emerging nations, alongside increased emphasis on translational research.

Conclusions:

• The workshop successfully updated and expanded research priorities for endometriosis.
• The established recommendations aim to foster high-quality, impactful research in the field.
• Future updates to these priorities were planned for the 2017 World Congress on Endometriosis.