Abstract

"Aim: Endometriosis is a benign disease which takes third place in gynecological morbidity after inflammatory disease and uterine myoma. We tried to evaluate serum iron and hepcidin levels and search for a connection in occurrence of endometriosis. Data: For serum hepcidin quantification we used ELISA assay. 40 women, average age 25.4 ± 4.3 were included. They were divided into two groups – women with endometriosis (EM) and control group. The samples were taken in the University Hospital ""Michin Dom"" for a period of one year, 2014. We measure serum iron levels, ferritin and calculate transferrin saturation. Pearson’s coefficient and Student’s t-test were used for evaluation of correlation and statistical significance. Results: We found statistically significant differences in serum hepcidin levels between measured groups: women with endometriosis had higher concentrations – 57.4 ± 8.5 μg/L vs control group – 20.7 ± 2.8 μg/L (r = -0.174, P < 0.001). Serum ferritin levels showed significant differences between two groups: EM – 18.3 ± 9.6 ng/mL vs control – 68.99 ± 16.1 ng/mL(r = -0.203, P < 0.001). Serum iron levels were statistically different: for EM 48.9 ± 4.9 µmol/L compared to 11.6 ± 1.7 µmol/L in control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: We conclude that our results support the thesis that iron overload and elevated serum hepcidin levels takes an important role into pathogenesis of endometriosis. "

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