Endometriosis and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Sabrina Compton1, Rodolf Alkabalan1, Judd Cadet1
1Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, St. George's University, St. George P.O. Box 7, Grenada.
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 27, 2025
Summary
Women with endometriosis have significantly higher odds of developing myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). This study highlights a bidirectional link between these conditions, likely due to shared immune system dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and endometriosis share inflammatory and immune dysregulation features.
- The epidemiological link between ME/CFS and endometriosis is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ME/CFS and endometriosis.
- To examine shared risk factors, clinical features, and epidemiological patterns.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies.
- Two independent reviewers screened 236 records.
- Random-effects models used for data analysis.
Main Results:
- Women with endometriosis had 2.79-fold higher odds of developing ME/CFS.
- A pooled odds ratio of 2.52 was found for the association between ME/CFS and endometriosis.
- Minimal statistical heterogeneity was observed (I² = 0.0%).
Conclusions:
- A significant bidirectional association exists between endometriosis and ME/CFS.
- Shared immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation drive this association.
- Clinical vigilance for comorbidity and integrated care approaches are recommended.
Keywords:
ME/CFSMyalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndromePRISMAchronic inflammationdiagnostic testingendometriosismeta-analysisMore Related Videos
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