The association between dietary acid load and endometriosis: a case-control study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Chronic Disease Epidemiology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Endometriosis affects 5-15% of reproductive-age women, causing pain and reduced quality of life.
• Diet is a modifiable risk factor, but its role in endometriosis is understudied.
• This study investigates the association between Dietary Acid Load (DAL) and endometriosis risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between Dietary Acid Load (DAL) and the likelihood of endometriosis.
• To assess the impact of acid-producing foods on endometriosis risk in Iranian women.

Main Methods:

• A hospital-based case-control study in Tehran, Iran (February-September 2021).
• 105 endometriosis patients and 208 healthy controls were evaluated.
• Dietary intake assessed via a 168-item food frequency questionnaire; DAL calculated using Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) and Net Endogenous Acid Production (NEAP) indices.
• Logistic regression analyzed the association between DAL and endometriosis odds.

Main Results:

• Each one-unit increase in PRAL was associated with an 8% increase in endometriosis odds.
• Each one-unit increase in NEAP was associated with a 4% increase in endometriosis odds.

Conclusions:

• Higher Dietary Acid Load (DAL) is significantly associated with increased odds of endometriosis.
• Reducing consumption of acid-producing foods may be a strategy to lower endometriosis risk.
• Further prospective research is needed to confirm findings and explore mechanisms.