Association Between Body Fat Percentage and Endometriosis Severity Based on American Association of Gynecologic...

Endometriosis is one of the main reproductive issues that the modifiable risk factors is still the main research focus. It is still unclear how various adiposity affect the onset and spread of endometriosis because some studies have found that there was inverse correlation, while others showed different findings. This study aims to determine the association between body fat percentage (BFP) and the severity of endometriosis in women of reproductive age using American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) 2021 Endometriosis Classification.

This was a cross-sectional analytic design conducted at Hasan Sadikin Hospital from July to October 2025. Some inclusion (endometriosis woman who will undergo laparoscopic surgery with age of 20-45 years) and exclusion (subject with suspected malignancy) criteria are applied in this study. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the significance of baseline characteristic, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and BFP towards AAGL endometriosis stage.

Our analysis indicates that the baseline characteristic showed no significant differences between the two groups (Mild-Moderate [Stage I-II] vs Severe [Stage III-IV]). Subsequently, this study revealed significant results WHR, MUAC, and BMI with p-values of 0.012, <0.001, and 0.023, respectively, towards AAGL stage. The study found a significant association between BFP and AAGL stage, with p-values <0.001. The negative association between WHR and MUAC with Body Fat Percentage towards AAGL was significant for WHR ≤0.80, WHR >0.80, and MUAC ≤23 cm, but not for MUAC >23 cm.

The study found a significant inverse relationship between BFP and endometriosis stage, with similar results for other measurements like BMI, WHR, and MUAC. In addition, shorter menstrual cycles due to high BFP were also associated with an increased risk of endometriosis.