Exploring the interface between adolescent dysmenorrhoea and endometriosis: a protocol for a cohort and nested...

Area of Science:

• Adolescent health
• Primary care medicine
• Reproductive health

Background:

• Dysmenorrhea affects a high percentage of adolescents, impacting daily life.
• Severe dysmenorrhea can indicate underlying conditions like endometriosis.
• Evidence is needed for primary care management and long-term outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the evidence base for primary care management of adolescent dysmenorrhea.
• To investigate the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in adolescents.
• To explore associations between dysmenorrhea and conditions like endometriosis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the QResearch Database for a large cohort of females aged 10-19.
• Employed a descriptive study for prevalence, a prospective cohort study for outcomes, and a nested case-control study for endometriosis risk.
• Analyzed data using descriptive statistics, hazard ratios (HR), and odds ratios (OR).

Main Results:

• Prevalence of coded dysmenorrhea in primary care will be documented.
• Hazard ratios for endometriosis, adenomyosis, ongoing pain, and subfertility will be determined.
• Odds ratios for preceding symptoms of endometriosis will be calculated.

Conclusions:

• Findings will inform primary care management strategies for adolescent dysmenorrhea.
• The study aims to improve early identification of conditions like endometriosis.
• Results will support shared decision-making resources for adolescents experiencing menstrual pain.