Association of dietary intakes and anthropometric indices with endometriosis: a case-control study

Endometriosis is a multifactorial disease. Limited studies have been published on the relationship between nutritional factors and endometriosis. This study was performed with aim to determine the association between dietary intake and anthropometric indices with endometriosis.

This case-control study was performed in 2020-2021 on 317 women aged 18 to 49 years in Tehran. Endometriosis was diagnosed using laparoscopy and women were divided into case (n=107) and control (n=210) groups. Food intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative and reliable food frequency questionnaire including 168 food items and analyzed with N4 nutrition software. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22) and logistic regression test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The probability of endometriosis was significantly lower for women in the highest tertile of body mass index than in the first tertile (OR=0.5, CI: 0.20-0.92, P <0.001). After adjusting for confounding variables, women in the upper tertile of intake for vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, seeds and nuts and liquid oils had a lower likelihood of endometriosis (P <0.05). However, women in the upper tertile of intake for dairy products, red meat, processed meats, organ meats, and solid oils and fats were significantly more likely to be suffering from endometriosis (P <0.05).

A significant inverse relationship was observed between endometriosis and intakes of vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, seeds and nuts and liquid oils. However, intake of dairy products, red meat, processed meats, organ meats, and solid oils and fats had a significant direct association with endometriosis.